Snapchat Asia Filter (Photo : Twitter/TequilaFunrise)
Snapchat bowed down to online pressure from users to remove a photo filter that some found offensive.
In particular, the lens, which was inspired by Japanese animation, made the eyes of the user slanted. Snapchat users on Twitter spoke against the filter because it made the user’s face appear like classic cartoon caricatures of Asian with squinty eyes and buckteeth.
In removing the filter which debuted only on Tuesday, Snapchat said the lens was intended to be playful and not to offend. The tech company, based in California, promised not to use the offending filter again.
"This anime-inspired lens has already expired, and won't be put back into circulation,” Snapchat said.
The outcry over the filter comes at a time that the U.S. movie industry’s yellowfacing of certain movie characters has been noticed, particularly with the portrayal by Leonardo DiCaprio of a Chinese hero in the epic movie “The Great Wall.”
It is not the first time that a Snapchat filter has generated controversy. The Bob Marley filter that Snapchat offered in honor of 4/20 was called by users as digital blackface for taking a prolific political figure and reducing him to a stoner. The filter works by adding a Bob Marley cap and dreadlocks to the face and makes the skin tone darker.
Many considered the filter reminiscent of blackfacing which was used a lot in American theater in the 19th century, but already abandoned in modern times, for being racist and insensitive.
In particular, the lens, which was inspired by Japanese animation, made the eyes of the user slanted. Snapchat users on Twitter spoke against the filter because it made the user’s face appear like classic cartoon caricatures of Asian with squinty eyes and buckteeth.
In removing the filter which debuted only on Tuesday, Snapchat said the lens was intended to be playful and not to offend. The tech company, based in California, promised not to use the offending filter again.
"This anime-inspired lens has already expired, and won't be put back into circulation,” Snapchat said.
The outcry over the filter comes at a time that the U.S. movie industry’s yellowfacing of certain movie characters has been noticed, particularly with the portrayal by Leonardo DiCaprio of a Chinese hero in the epic movie “The Great Wall.”
It is not the first time that a Snapchat filter has generated controversy. The Bob Marley filter that Snapchat offered in honor of 4/20 was called by users as digital blackface for taking a prolific political figure and reducing him to a stoner. The filter works by adding a Bob Marley cap and dreadlocks to the face and makes the skin tone darker.
Many considered the filter reminiscent of blackfacing which was used a lot in American theater in the 19th century, but already abandoned in modern times, for being racist and insensitive.
