‘Shame on you’: Rihanna slams Snapchat for ad asking users to slap her or ‘punch Chris Brown’
Weeks after receiving backlash for its new design, Snapchat is under fire again. This time, users are upset about an ad that seemingly promotes domestic violence.
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An ad for a game called "Would You Rather?" popped up on the social media platform last week. It asked, "Would you rather slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown?" and it included a subtitle that read, "Impossible Choices."
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
In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault and making criminal threats after assaulting Rihanna, his then-girlfriend, during Grammy weekend. Many thought the prompt directly referenced the incident and encouraged domestic violence.
Several flocked to Twitter to express their disgust and criticize the company.
Whoever was in the team that decided on the Rihanna and Chris Brown meme needs to be sacked. Shame on snapchat for joking about domestic violence
— Emi (@EmiEleode) March 15, 2018
@Snapchat it was just Wrong! This time I’v got really disappointed :/ @rihanna we support u gal! No domestic Violence should be a joke or a reason to mock! Wrong, it was just wrong
— Lucca E.L (@electrolive99) March 15, 2018
@Snapchat it’s really time for a new app, or just give us our old snap back. Can someone come up with something better please 🤗 or just get back to the drawing board. Domestic Violence is very real and the insensitive nature of that ad was pure ignorance. @rihanna go off sis. pic.twitter.com/u1Jvhp0c67
— MIIMA CHÉRIE 🍒 (@MIIMACHERIE) March 15, 2018
Yeah it’s defo time to delete Snapchat! I was already planning to after the stupid update but this situation defo put the nail in the coffin for me. As someone that respects Rihanna highly and is against domestic violence, I can’t support an app like that.
— MANNY 🤴🏾 (@THECLASSICMANNY) March 15, 2018
» RELATED: 'Frustrations validate changes': Snapchat CEO excited about redesign despite backlash
Following the backlash, Snapchat issued a statement Tuesday, saying the ad was published "in error," according to BBC.
“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,” it said.
Despite the apology, Rihanna took to social media Thursday morning to denounce the brand. "I'm just trying to figure out what the point was with mess," she posted on an Instagram story. "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."

Now folks are threatening to delete the app.
First y’all put this horrible update on here then y’all made Rihanna upset nah...... Alright @Snapchat, it’s been real✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/RLX5YLOPAj
— Bella🌬💋 (@MissSlimbella) March 15, 2018
Rihanna said delete Snapchat so guess what I’m doing!!! #Navy
— Joe Budden (@JoeBudden) March 15, 2018
Rihanna said we should delete our snapchat for their domestic abuse joke. Our president has spoken therefore i’m deleting snapchat. pic.twitter.com/nLvB2okCRa
— c (@kidcudison) March 15, 2018
Everyone delete your Snapchat. I stand with @rihanna and so many other victims of domestic violence. Commodifying victims isn’t okay and isn’t something to make fun of. I am disgusted and disturbed. pic.twitter.com/mp4T7TdzYP
— Conner Patrick (@connerlately) March 15, 2018
Snapchat has yet to respond to Rihanna’s latest comments.
» RELATED: Rihanna urges end to gun violence after cousin shot to death


