Microsoft blasted for ‘vile’ attempt to cash in on Amy Winehouse’s death

Microsoft has been forced to apologise for a “tweet” which has been blasted as a blatant attempt to cash in on the death of 27-year-old British singer Amy Winehouse.

Microsoft became the target of online ire over the weekend after the same Twitter account posted an update inviting people to remember Winehouse by buying digital versions of her “Back to Black” album at Zune.

The Zune website is Microsoft’s online store for downloading music, films and other entertainment content to computers, smartphones, and Xbox 360 videogame consoles.

Replies on Twitter in part criticised the Microsoft message as “crass” and “vile.”

Winehouse’s latest album topped the sales chart at Apple’s online iTunes music store on Monday while her defiant smash-hit “Rehab” was the tenth best selling single track download.

Winehouse’s parents on Monday visited the growing shrine of tributes left outside her London home as a post-mortem on her body failed to establish a formal cause of death.

Winehouse was found dead at her house on Saturday and the police are not treating it as suspicious. The cause of death remains unknown.

With her sultry vocals and trademark beehive hairstyle, Winehouse was considered one of the finest British female singers in years, but she had struggled with drink and drug addictions.

Following the backlash, the Microsoft account deleted the offensive tweet, sent its “apology” and commiserated with Winehouse’s fans, family and friends. –- AFP with additional reporting by Staff Reporter.