Snapchat in the dock over racist ‘yellowface’ selfie lens
Snapchat has been accused of releasing racist selfie lens which some have dubbed ‘yellowface’, that can give users bucked teeth, squint eyes and a jaundiced complexion.
A storm of outrage swiftly swept social media following the lens launch prompting Snapchat to swiftly pull the plug but not before being castigated for allowing an ‘overtly racist’ lens, with some asking when they might get their hands on a ‘blackface’ lens.
Dear @Snapchat , thanks for the overly-racist new filter...when can we expect Blackface? pic.twitter.com/vKZn18NDYM
— Brian (@bkisnah) August 9, 2016
Snapchat has been no stranger to skin tone controversies after a Bob Marley filter giving people their own dreadlocks and dark skin backfired, with fans claiming it was disrespectful despite approval from the Bob Marley estate.
Responding to the criticism Snapchat said that the design had been inspired by anime and was intended to be playful.