Snapchat Apologizes for Violent Chris Brown & Rihanna Ad

Snapchat is apologizing after running an advertisement that referenced Chris Brown’s infamous 2009 assault of his then-girlfriend Rihanna.

Promising “Impossible Choices,” the “Would You Rather?” ad asked if users would rather “Slap Rihanna” or “Punch Chris Brown.” The ad outraged many users, who complained on social media.

“I know that social media ads go through an approval process from the platform,” wrote prominent activist Brittany Packnett. “This means @Snapchat approved an ad that makes light of domestic violence.”

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

Responding to Packet, former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton added: “Just awful. Awful that anyone thinks this is funny. 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

Snapchat removed the ad and addressed the outrage with a statement, according to BBC. “The advert was reviewed and approved in error, as it violates our advertising guidelines,” they said. “We immediately removed the ad last weekend, once we became aware. We are sorry that this happened.”