It’s not been the best couple of days to be an Indian online. First, Uber Bangalore General Manager Christian Freese said that Indians were “rather locked up at home” before Uber came into the country, and couldn’t go out much on weekends. Then a report claimed that Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel had once said that he didn’t want to expand into India because it was too poor, and his app was only meant for rich people.
Spiegel’s statement had lots of mixed reactions. While some Indians went berserk on the Play Store, peppering Snapchat with one-star ratings, Twitter was irreverent as ever.
Some people looked for creative ways to be able to deserve the app.
https://twitter.com/Dorkstar/status/853302030839848960
https://twitter.com/ikamranmalik/status/853576358022094849
Others disputed if India was poor at all.
Snapchat CEO says 'we don't want expansion in poor country like India…,' Inko nahi Pata ki James Bond se ghutka bikwate hai hum😎#PanParag
— Captain (@iEatCricket) April 16, 2017
Dear CEO of @Snapchat Kejriwal sir spent 1 crore rupees for chai and samosa and you think that india is poor country 🖕🖕 #boycottsnapchat
— kalyan (@Kalyan_veluru) April 16, 2017
Need a 'Muh me Rajnigandha, Kadmo me Duniya' type Gujju businessman to buy out Snapchat.
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) April 16, 2017
While some felt Spiegel wasn’t far off the mark.
https://twitter.com/BerozgaarAbhi/status/853158493410512896
Some people tried reimagining the Snapchat logo.
With love from poor Indians. pic.twitter.com/4gCnAOWKrn
— Kauntest (@playkauntest) April 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/SahilBulla/status/853259204865384449
While others tried to make do with the “poor” tag.
https://twitter.com/sundiairlifted/status/853618396595933185
https://twitter.com/dhirenk420/status/853344163995299840
But people mostly wanted Evan Spiegel to come to India to see all the poverty first hand, Munnabhai-style.
https://twitter.com/GadhviLaxman/status/853545654513225729