Activision's recent advertisement for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has been banned in the UK due to accusations of trivializing sexual violence. The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found the ad inappropriate, criticizing its depiction of a security screening involving comedian Nikki Glazer and actor Peter Stormare. The controversial humor in the ad was deemed offensive, as it implied humiliation and non-consensual sexual acts. Although Activision defended the commercial's intention as humor aimed at adults, the ASA concluded that the content was irresponsible and unacceptable. The ban has raised questions about the impact of advertising in gaming, especially given that Black Ops 7 has struggled with sales against its competitors.

Why was the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 commercial banned in the UK?

The Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 commercial was banned due to its depiction of a security screening that implied sexual humiliation, which the ASA deemed offensive and trivializing to sexual violence.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, released in November 2025, is a part of the long-standing Call of Duty franchise known for its intense first-person shooter gameplay. The franchise has seen immense popularity over the years, with Black Ops 7 facing stiff competition from titles like Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders. Activision is currently focusing on significant strategic changes in response to declining sales in the increasingly competitive gaming market.