Snapchat pulls offensive ad asking fans to choose between slapping Rihanna or punching Chris Brown

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Snapchat is catching heat over a tone-deaf ad asking users to make a cyber choice between abusing Chris Brown or Rihanna.

According to USMagazine, the insensitive ad asked users if they would rather “slap Rihanna” or “punch Chris Brown,” and it immediately had users scratching their heads in disbelief, triggering widespread backlash against the popular app.

The ad would be offensive regardless of the people involved, but the ad is particularly tacky considering the fact that Chris Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna in a violent attack before the 2009 Grammy Awards.

–Flight from Hell: Black man’s hilarious fight against white woman’s feet goes viral–

Social Media Firestorm

Users began complaining about the ad earlier this week, posting screenshots of it on Twitter along with pointed criticism for Snapchat.

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

1. snap chat ad, 2018
2. rihanna’s police statement, 2012 (CW: violence) pic.twitter.com/JURi5Ityyr

— Gina Rushton (@ginarush) March 14, 2018

“Just awful. Awful that anyone thinks this is funny,” tweeted Chelsea Clinton. “Awful that anyone thinks this is appropriate. Awful that any company would approve this.”

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

A spokesperson for Snapchat realized the error of their ways and spoke to Us Weekly to address fans on Wednesday.

“The advert was reviewed and approved in error, as it violates our advertising guidelines,” the statement read. “We immediately removed the ad last weekend, once we became aware. We are sorry that this happened.”

Rihanna Fans Lash Out After Chris Brown Comments on Photo

After Rihanna broke the internet with her Crop Over outfit in Barbados, the singer caught the attention of not just adoring fans, but also her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

Brown, who physically assaulted Rihanna back in 2009, decided to show his ex-girlfriend some love by posting a pair of emoji eyes under her photo–a decision that made the Rihanna Navy go nuts.

–Rihanna slays at Crop Over in Barbados–

While many of Rihanna’s fans refuse to let go of their tumultuous and violent relationship, others are viewing Brown’s comment simply as admiration.

The audacity! Rihanna’s fans weren’t having it.