“American Idol” sponsor AT&T is drawing backlash from viewers thanks to a report in the New York Times.

The company allegedly gave out cell phones with free text messaging and taught Kris Allen fans how to “cast blocks of votes” at two different parties in Allen’s home state of Arkansas. Representatives for AT&T showed those in attendance how to send “power texts”, which are 10 or more texts sent at once.

AT&T is the only mobile service provider that allows “American Idol” votes via text message.

The company has responded to the story, saying: “In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.”

Fans of runner-up Adam Lambert are now calling the texting unfair, since no such demonstrations were given at Lambert-fan watching parties.

It should be noted that AT&T has been charged with voting assistance before, for both Idol winner Taylor Hicks and Elliott Yamin.

Fox has never revealed the actual voting statistics for the show’s finale, which is atypical. However, the show’s rules do state that votes cast using “technical enhancements” would be thrown out. The final vote tally was reportedly over 100 million.

Credit: RollingStone.com