Mobile World Congress hacked by fake campaign against prostitution

Two advertising students use QR codes to expose a 30% spike in sexual demand during the tech event.

Generic image of a promotional card on a luxury car's windshield in front of a convention center.
IA

Generic image of a promotional card on a luxury car's windshield in front of a convention center.

Two young creatives from Barcelona have launched a guerrilla campaign during the Mobile World Congress to denounce that prostitution demand in the city increases by 30% during the event.

Under the name Misogyny World Congress, Mireia Morós and Óscar, students at Brother Barcelona school, distributed black cards with the slogan Barcelona’s hottest girls are ready for the Mobile. While appearing to be luxury escort ads, the QR code leads users to a video featuring Artificial Intelligence generated content that quickly shifts to data about sexual exploitation.

"You were looking for one thing and got another. We hope that second of confusion makes you reflect and, if you intended to do it, avoid it."

Óscar · Campaign creative
The initiative includes a real phone number where an automated English message reminds attendees that million-dollar deals do not require the sexual exploitation of women. According to groups like Feministes de Catalunya, pimping networks move women from across Europe to the Catalan capital to meet the demand peak during these four days.
The creators also documented how some taxi drivers receive lists of venues and earn commissions for dropping MWC attendees at brothels. The campaign highlights the hidden side of a congress that brings 400 million euros to the city but, according to the students, continues to objectify women as a business service.