It looks like Snapchat has some explaining to do.
In a piece on The Ringer, makeup artists, such as Argenis Pinal, accused Snapchat of copying their designs without any credit or monetary. reimbursement.
Take a look for yourself.
Understandably, the artists aren’t happy. Filters, which let Snapchat users digitally superimpose masks and characters on their faces, are one of the most popular features on the disappearing photo and video service. Gatorade’s Snapchat filter during the Super Bowl in February garnered 160 million impressions. That’s a big potential audience these artists are missing out on.
This isn’t the first time a Snapchat filter has gotten the company into hot water. On April 20th, Snapchat featured a Bob Marley filter, presumably because of the significance the date holds for marijuana users, but users complained that the filter was a form of blackface.
Whether the similarities between Snapchat’s filters and the work of these artists was the result of copying is still unknown, but the company says it’s taking steps to prevent the problem. ”The creative process sometimes involves inspiration, but it should never result in copying. We have already implemented additional layers of review for all designs. Copying other artists isn’t something we will tolerate, and we’re taking appropriate action internally with those involved,” Snapchat said in a statement.