The phrase ‘aggressive’ is still used for the tank top on Amazon, even though it violates the Canadian advertising code

Many advertisements for men’s tank tops live on Amazon’s Canadian website, despite the decision of an advertising Standards Council that the phrase was used to describe them – “Wife Beater” – is aggressive, tries domestic violence and violates Canada’s advertising code.

The Slang Term refers to a certain style of tight-fitting tank tops introduced as a men’s undershert in the 1930s. The shirt entered the popular culture in 1951, when Marlon Brando wore a hard-aided, violent Stanley Kowlski. Nomine,

Amazon’s continuous acceptance of Slang Term and inability to force Canada’s retailer to remove some women’s rights advocates.

“We should aim to live in a culture that respects women,” said the executive director of a advocacy group, Herm Mendoza, who works to end the intimate companion violence. “Wife Beater is a word that insults not only women but the remaining people.”

After viewing Amazon advertisements posted by third-party vendors, Mendza Started a petition This week to advocate online retail legends to remove the phrase from your website.

“It normalizes gender-based violence and we want to live in a society that targets and eliminates that type of behavior,” he said.

In 2024, a seven-member council with advertising standards, Canada, self-control body of the industry, an Amazon advertisement for an Amazon advertisement for a men’s “wife Beater” tank top came to a similar conclusion. council Advertisement violated the Canadian code of advertising standards “Apathy towards illegal behavior of violence against women.”

The council asked Amazon to remove or modify the advertisement. However, the following is voluntary, and it appears that the US-based company has chosen to ignore the council’s request.

In response to the initial complaint, the ED standards stated that Amazon defended the phrase, saying that “the descriptive of this fabric was usually understood and accepted in retail and popular culture.”

Amazon also said that the phrase did not violate it Aggressive product policyBecause it referred to a type of clothing, and “did not support harmful behavior,” advertising standards reported.

CBC News found 10 advertisements for the “wife Beater” top sold by third party on Amazon, and sent them to the company, as well as Mendoza raised about the phrase.

Amazon replied in an email that the company “tries to maintain a store that is welcoming for everyone,” and it practices the decision and takes into account “cultural differences and sensitivity … when taking decisions on its website”.

CBC News contacted each dealers selling “Wife Beater” top on Amazon. So far, only one, Wangyunhui2025, replied by removing the word from his advertisements.

“I deeply regret that it caused damage,” the dealer said. “I apologize for the oversight and appreciate it to bring the matter to my attention.”

Why is the code voluntary?

Canadian code of advertising standards is one Voluntary conduct code Developed and administered by the industry funded by the industry.

The non-profit organization refused to conduct an on-the-record interview with CBC News, or provided more information about the Amazon case. However, it provided background information.

Advertising standards say the code is voluntary as it was developed by the industry to complement Canada’s advertising laws. The organization noted that most companies follow the rules.

Workers say for regulatory bodies

For Amazon, advertising standards reported that the retailer has faced the results, as it was nominated in the council’s decision publicly posted online.

But this is not enough for some workers. Socialist Catilin Mendes says that the federal government needs to establish a regulatory body that can ensure the online platform to ensure that the material is considered harmful.

“These mechanisms require these mechanisms to make these mechanisms to make these changes,” said the Canada Research President in Mendes, inequality and Gender, and a professor at Western University in London, ONTS.

“There is something that is actually teeth that will comply these corporations, I think, incredibly important and it has probably never been more important at this day and age.”

In 2023, Canadian police 139,020 report received Intimate partner violence. Most of the victims were women.

In 2025, many areas, such as Parts of Ontario And Nova ScotiaTold that domestic misconduct cases are increasing.

What happened to the Online Horms Act?

Some countries have enacted a law to consider online content harmful.

Below Digital services of the European UnionOnline platforms, including e-commerce sites such as Amazon, face strict rules for user safety and material moderation.

American Trump Administration has Criticized the actClaiming that it is expensive to American technical companies and limits free speech. During this time, Amazon is taking European Union to courtArguing that it should be exempted from law, as its online markets do not reduce systemic risks addressed in the Act.

Last year, Ottawa started Bill C -63, Online horms actOnline police designed for harmful materials. The law, which largely targeted social media platforms, Returned to controversial This can prevent free speech due to concerns.

Both disputes And bill dead When Parliament was teased in January 2025.

CBC News asked the federal government if it had any plans to revive its online Horms Act, and if yes, what could be involved in it.

Heritage Canada replied in an email, saying that the government is committed to fulfilling the promises made in the Liberal Party. platformThe last federal election was unveiled.

65 page document Proposals for laws do not include companies that will force companies to follow the Canadian advertising code.

But it does not stop advocates like Mendza of Womanac, who expects its online petition for Amazon to abolish the word “wife Beater” from their website profit traction.

“It is important that we do not use that type of language in Canada,” he said. “Please remove it.”