Snapchat Removes Juneteenth Filter After Backlash, Apologises

The filter prompted users to smile, which caused chains to appear behind them and then break, a report said.

By Reuters | Updated: 20 June 2020 11:53 IST

Snapchat Removes Juneteenth Filter After Backlash, Apologises

A diverse group of Snap team members were involved in developing the concept

Highlights

The Snapchat filter used Pan-African flag as a backdrop
Snapchat says it will investigate the "mistake"
June 19 commemorates the US abolition of slavery

Snapchat took down a "Juneteenth"- themed filter and apologised to users for the lens, which drew criticism for being insensitive, the photo messaging app's parent Snap said on Friday.

The filter used Pan-African flag as a backdrop and prompted users to smile, which caused chains to appear behind them and then break, CNBC reported earlier in the day

This SnapChat #Juneteenth filter is...um...interesting.

Smile to break the chains? Okay then. pic.twitter.com/Wyob3kT3ew
— Mark S. Luckie (@marksluckie) June 19, 2020

Reuters could not verify the filter as it was no longer available.

"A diverse group of Snap team members were involved in developing the concept, but a version of the Lens that went live for Snapchatters this morning had not been approved," a Snap spokesperson said in a statement, adding the company was investigating the "mistake."

We deeply apologize for the offensive Juneteenth Lens. The Lens that went live hadn't been approved through our review process. We are investigating so this doesn't happen again.
— Snapchat (@Snapchat) June 19, 2020

June 19 commemorates the US abolition of slavery by President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which was belatedly announced in the state of Texas on June 19, 1865, after the end of the Civil War. Several companies, including Twitter and Nike, have declared June 19 a paid holiday for employees or reduced operating hours to commemorate Juneteenth.

© Thomson Reuters 2020

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