Microsoft Bing Wallpaper App Infuriates Users with Harry Potter Ad
Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper app has sparked backlash after displaying an intrusive Harry Potter-themed promotion to some users. The optional app, which usually provides daily wallpapers of travel scenes and animals on Windows PC desktops, showed an ad for the new Harry Potter series on HBO Max instead of a regular image. This occurred when users selected an image titled 'Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts 11-Film Collection.'
Users from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt reported encountering this promotional wallpaper, which seems to be tied to the upcoming Harry Potter series premiere in December on HBO Max. However, the app is available for download in these regions, and users can switch to another image or temporarily disable it.
The backlash highlights Microsoft's increasing reliance on advertising in its products, despite its efforts to declutter Windows 11. Some users criticized the company for injecting ads into its apps, with one Reddit user writing, 'Always enjoy the photos but saw this today. Sent feedback and disabled. Harry Potter of all things. WTF.'
Another user pointed out that the promotion ties in with the work of author JK Rowling, who has faced criticism for her views on transgender people. The user asked, 'Why is my Bing wallpaper advertising a transphobic author's films on my desktop?' Microsoft has not responded to requests for comment.