Snapchat under fire for 'racist' Bob Marley filter

Update 4/20 10:54 a.m.: Snapchat issued a statement about the filter, quoted in full below.

Today is April 20 (also known as 420), a date of special significance for people who enjoy cannabis in any of its forms. Snapchat, which has a new selection of face-altering filters every day, jumped on the bandwagon by offering a "Bob Marley" filter. 

The problem? A lot of people think the filter is offensive and racist. 

The way the filter works is it adds a Bob Marley cap and dreadlocks to your face, and it makes your skin tone darker. 

For many, that's a bit too reminiscent of blackface or painting your face black to represent a black person. Blackfacing was used a lot in U.S. theater in the 19th century, but has been abandoned in modern times and is widely considered to be a racist act or, at the very least, insensitive. 

As you might imagine, the Bob Marley filter was recognized by many folks as inappropriate, with some Twitter users calling it "digital blackfacing."

In response to a query from Mashable, a Snapchat spokesperson sent the following statement via email: "The lens we launched today was created in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate, and gives people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music. Millions of Snapchatters have enjoyed Bob Marley's music, and we respect his life and achievements."

It's worth pointing out that MSQRD, a Facebook-owned app that also lets you apply various filters to your face, had a very similar Bob Marley filter at one point as well, though that one caused far less backlash.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Do you find Snapchat's Bob Marley filter offensive? Share your opinion in the comments below.