Social media app Snapchat recently found itself facing a ton of criticism after an advertisement asked users if they would rather slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown. Rihanna has since responded, shaming the app for making a joke of the situation and telling the app: "You let us down!"
Is it just me, or is this ad that popped up on my Snapchat extremely tone deaf? Like what were they thinking with this? https://t.co/7kP9RHcgNG
Back in 2009, Chris Brown was arrested following a physical altercation with Rihanna in a car, from which Rihanna suffered multiple injuries. Chris Brown received five years probation and a community service order for the assault.
People on Twitter immediately voiced their disgust with the ad, with activist Brittany Packnett saying it "makes light of domestic violence".
I know that social media ads go through an approval process from the platform. This means @Snapchat approved an ad that makes light of domestic violence. The update ain’t the only thing that’s wack over there, friends. https://t.co/PmbJn4zCel
Chelsea Clinton replied to the tweet, calling the situation "awful" and thanking Brittany for calling it out.
@MsPackyetti @Snapchat Just awful. Awful that anyone thinks this is funny. Awful that anyone thinks this is appropriate. Awful that any company would approve this. Thank you Brittany for calling this out.
In a statement regarding the ad, Snapchat said:
"The advert was reviewed and approved in error, as it violates our advertising guidelines. We immediately removed the ad last weekend, once we became aware. We are sorry that this happened."
Now Rihanna has responded to the advert on her Instagram story, saying that it would "intentionally bring shame to [domestic violence] victims".
She then added that it wasn't about her "personal feelings, cause I don't have much of them." But she pointed out how "all the women, children and men that have been victims of [domestic violence] in the past and especially the ones who haven't made it out yet" would feel "let down" by the app.
Read the entire statement here:
"Now Snapchat I know you already know you ain't my fav app out there! But I'm just trying to figure out what the point was with this mess! I'd love to call it ignorance, but I know you ain't that dumb! You spent money to animate something that would intentionally bring shame to DV victims and made a joke of it!!! This isn't about my personal feelings, cause I don't have much of them...but all the women, children and men that have been victims of DV in the past and especially the ones who haven't made it out yet...you let us down! Shame on you. Throw the whole app-oligy away."
Snapchat has since apologized in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter: "This advertisement is disgusting and never should have appeared on our service. We are so sorry we made the terrible mistake of allowing it through our review process."
"We are investigating how that happened so that we can make sure it never happens again," a representative for Snapchat added.