Oh, Snapchat. As if pissing people off with the much-hated update wasn’t enough, the app recently let an ad slip through its quality control that seems to poke fun at domestic violence whilst featuring Rihanna and Chris Brown.
The social media app’s “Would You Rather?” ad straight up asked users if they would rather “Slap Rihanna” or “Punch Chris Brown.” Tough choice.
If you remember what Rihanna’s face looked like after the domestic dispute between her and then boyfriend Chris Brown then you’ll instantly pick up on why this isn’t funny whatsoever. 
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 (@royceforatlanta) March 12, 2018
Yes, “tone deaf” is the exact way to describe the image above.
Snapchat has since released a brief — and we’re talking very brief — statement:
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.
Rihanna provided an even better statement of her own:
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.
Rihanna responding to Snapchat's ad. I can't believe they did this. pic.twitter.com/TpHQIXTm4j
— GNCordova (@GNCordova) March 15, 2018
Snapchat’s distasteful “Would You Rather?” ad has been removed for obvious reasons, but not before being publicly criticized. Below is just some of the backlash via Twitter.
Not cool, Snapchat.
https://twitter.com/MsPackyetti/status/973077777313419264
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
https://twitter.com/23Cookieboo/status/973216807116034049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fetcanada.com%2Fnews%2F308954%2Fsnapchat-apologizes-after-being-slammed-for-posting-disgusting-ad-featuring-rihanna-and-chris-brown%2F
I would rather delete @Snapchat This is especially disturbing as Snapchat is favored by pre adolescent, teen, & young adult females.
— ced25 (@ced25) March 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/abl33da/status/973360921124003842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fetcanada.com%2Fnews%2F308954%2Fsnapchat-apologizes-after-being-slammed-for-posting-disgusting-ad-featuring-rihanna-and-chris-brown%2F
H/T: ET Canada
