Snapchat faces an outcry against 'whitewashing' filters
Snapchat has once again come under fire for how it deals with race.
Users of the app have noticed that many of the face-altering filters "whitewash." Upset Snapchatters point to the flower crown filter and the "beautifying" filter, both of which seem to lighten skin and eyes and contour the face to make one's chin and nose appear smaller.
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Since the debut, and subsequent popularity, of the Coachella-inspired filter, Snapchat users have taken to Twitter and Tumblr to voice their disproval with the app.
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Other users have recently defended Snapchat over the whitewashing controversy, claiming the filters whiten and brighten all aspects of a photo (similar to a flash) and not only skin. That helps?
Snapchat was previously criticized on 4/20 for its Bob Marley filter, which many users condemned as a blatant use of "digital blackface." Snapchat, though, stood behind its filter, saying it was only meant to give, "people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music."
Snapchat has not yet responded to Mashable's request for comment.
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Topics Snapchat
Neha Prakash was Mashable's Senior Watercooler Reporter, covering viral content, Internet culture and all things Kardashians.Before being a reporter, Neha was a Mashable intern covering news and politics. Neha previously interned at AOL/Huffington Post managing content and social media for its health and fitness sites.She earned her Masters degree from Columbia Journalism School in May 2012, and graduated with a B.A. from Penn State University in 2010.
