Snapchat's Bob Marley filter has sparked up a row

Bob marley filter hero

Update: Snapchat responded to our request for a comment with the following: "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."

Original story continues:

Snapchat has divided the internet by releasing a Bob Marley-themed filter – apparently in a bid to commemorate 4/20, a day of the year which celebrates 'weed' without actually endorsing marijuana use.

People are offended for two reasons. First, people dislike linking Marley's memory to weed, citing his much wider musical influence.

Second, the filter tries to turn your face into Bob's own. That means that a) your skin tone may change and you grow dreadlocks and b) it also gender-swaps if you happen to be female – all things that more than a few people have judged as being a little uncomfortable.

bob filter

Of course, others don't see anything wrong with what they perceive as a light-hearted tribute on the part of Snapchat.

It has recently flexed its design muscles with several new releases, including stickers that add in to your video clips, but this may be a step too far.

Tweets

For now though, the internet remains divided on whether this was a poorly judged stunt, or the greatest Snapchat filter of all time.

We've asked Snapchat to comment and we'll update if we hear back.

Latest in Social Media
tiktok
How to edit TikTok videos
 Facebook social media app logo on log-in, sign-up registration page
How to delete all your Facebook posts
The logo of the social media app Bluesky is seen on the screen of a mobile phone
Bluesky gets a massive video upgrade to tempt X fans who are frustrated by its cyberattack outages
TikTok
How to download TikTok videos without a watermark
Instagram app logo on iOS
Instagram wants you to do more with DMs than just slide into someone else’s
The logo of the social media app Bluesky is seen on the screen of a mobile phone
What is Bluesky? The new social media network explained
Latest in News
Panos Panay and Alexa Plus
Amazon's Panos Panay teases future Alexa+ devices from speakers to possible wearables
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments