WTAF: Snapchat Apologises For Revolting Ad Featuring Rihanna & Chris Brown
This article discusses domestic violence.
After posting an absolutely fucking stupid ad featuring Rihanna and Chris Brown, Snapchat has taken the graphic down and apologised. But tbh, that’s just not good enough.
Snapchat’s popularity has been plummeting since their last update (that decidedly sucks), so what better way to win us back than with an ad that seems to joke about domestic abuse? Seriously Snapchat.
The ad was for an interactive ‘Would You Rather!’ game that asks users to make “impossible choices.” The choice was would you rather “slap Rihanna,” or “punch Chris Brown,” and featured photos of both stars.
Is it just me, or is this ad that popped up on my Snapchat extremely tone deaf? Like what were they thinking with this? pic.twitter.com/7kP9RHcgNG
— Royce Mann (@TheRoyceMann) March 12, 2018
The ad is either just ludicrously tone deaf or is seeming to be making light of the highly publicised 2009 incident, where Chris physically assaulted his then girlfriend Rihanna. This is just plain wrong. Well done team.
A Snapchat rep is doing damage control, saying in a statement to BBC News:
“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.”
Sure, the ad was taken down, but people are still questioning how the hell it got the green light in the first place?
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
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) March 12, 2018
Even Chelsea Clinton commented on how gross the whole thing is.
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.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) March 12, 2018
It’s especially disappointing to see such a thoughtless ad posted in the aftermath of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. What TF have we learnt?!
Between this and the latest update, we’re left to wonder: is there someone on the inside at Snapchat who is trying to burn the company to the ground? Maybe. Or is this just yet another example of people being extremely tone deaf and unacceptably stupid? Probably.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) offers counselling, support or assistance for anyone who has experienced sexual assault or family violence.