SNAPCHAT was forced to take down a controversial ad and then apologize for it.
The ad used a popular game called “Would You Rather.” And in it the question: Would you rather slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown?
The netizens, of course, were not amused especially since Rihanna was a physical abuse victim in the hands of Brown in 2009. Brown was convicted for the assault.
“Now, Snapchat, I know you already know you ain’t my fave app out there!” Rihanna wrote in her Instagram Stories. “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!”
“Whoever posted this at Snapchat needs to be slapped,” said Brown, through lawyer Mark Geragos.
Even Chelsea Clinton was appalled, tweeting: “Just awful. Awful that anyone thinks this is funny. Awful that anyone thinks this is appropriate. Awful that any company would approve this.”
“The advert was reviewed and approved in error, as it violates our advertising guidelines,” a Snapchat statement read. “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.”
“This isn’t about my personal feelings, ‘cause I don’t have much of them,” Rihanna also said. “But 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...you let us down! Shame on you. Throw the whole app-oligy away.” (JGA & AP)