Snapchat has issued an indirect apology to Rihanna for airing an advertisement on their social media platform which made light of her domestic abuse struggles with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. The advertisement which is pictured below, asked viewers whether they'd rather "Slap Rihanna or Punch Chris Brown."
The advertisement makes reference to Chris Brown's conviction for assaulting Rihanna in 2009. The incident has since been forged into the public's memory but most importantly has resulted in psychological trauma for the Barbadian singer.
Snapchat issued the following statement through the 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."
Followed by "We are sorry that this happened."
It begs questioning how this advertisement made it past the screening test. It is unfathomable to think it wasn't later caught by censors. The discovery made by Royce Mann led to various activists picking up the story and blowing it up to massive proportions.
This controversy will likely harm the already depleted brand, only weeks removed from taking a billion dollar dip after Kylie Jenner's call for quits. Rihanna has yet to respond on the matter.