Microsoft Paying for Positive Xbox One Coverage on YouTube

[wraggster]

Microsoft, partnered with Machinima, has put forth a promotion (http://kotaku.com/sketchy-promo-plan-pays-youtubers-for-positive-xbox-one-1505260408) for YouTube personalities: make a video about the Xbox One and get money for it. Problematically, they also require the reviewer not to disclose that they're getting paid (http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/stealth-marketing-microsoft-paying-youtubers-for-xbox-one-mentions/#p3)(or mention anything negative), which breaks FTC disclosure rules (http://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/press-releases/ftc-publishes-final-guides-governing-endorsements-testimonials/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf) (PDF). Microsoft has a well-known history of astroturfing, but is this the first proof of them doing it illegally?

http://news.slashdot.org/story/14/01/21/0229229/microsoft-paying-for-positive-xbox-one-coverage-on-youtube