Snapchat defends 'playful' yellowface filter

  • 11/08/2016
Using the filter makes faces like this (Twitter/Snapchat/@bkisnah)
Using the filter makes faces like this (Twitter/Snapchat/@bkisnah)

Messaging service Snapchat has removed a selfie filter which turned users' faces into Asian caricatures, complete with squinted eyes and buck teeth.

The company released the filter on Tuesday, saying the "lens" was "anime-inspired" - despite the results looking nothing at all like anime characters.

"Lenses are meant to be playful and never to offend," Snapchat said in a statement, adding that it "won't be put back into circulation".

The filter, dubbed "yellowface" by many users, comes not long after Snapchat let users turn themselves into Bob Marley, leading to accusations of blackface.

That filter, released on April 20 - a significant day in marijuana culture - was released with the permission of Bob Marley's family.

Newshub.