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.
Applied for loan to install snapchat
— dorku (@Dorkstar) April 15, 2017
Snapchat CEO : Snapchat isn't for poor countries like India.
Indians: pic.twitter.com/yOG46Rcdz5
— Kamran (@ikamranmalik) April 16, 2017
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
— Virat Kohli?? (@ViratSena_) 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 (@kalyanzoomin) April 16, 2017
Need a 'Muh me Rajnigandha, Kadmo me Duniya' type Gujju businessman to buy out Snapchat.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) April 16, 2017
While some felt Spiegel wasn’t far off the mark.
Snapchat CEO has been declared as "the most honest man" by UNESCO
— Berozgaar Bhartiya (@BerozgaarAbhi) April 15, 2017
Some people tried reimagining the Snapchat logo.
With love from poor Indians. pic.twitter.com/4gCnAOWKrn
— Kauntest (@playkauntest) April 16, 2017
Hey @evanspiegel I updated the Snapchat India icon for you. pic.twitter.com/C0leuzJoBR
— Sahil Shah (@SahilBulla) April 15, 2017
While others tried to make do with the “poor” tag.
She : i am on Snapchat & you
Me : pic.twitter.com/ZU61wpOknK— ViCkY (@sundiairlifted) April 16, 2017
Interviewer : Do you use whatsapp?
Me : yes
Facebook?
Me : Yes
Twitter?
Me : Yes
Ok. Nd Snapchat?
Me : pic.twitter.com/teaWob2b4m— Dhiren Kinkhabwala (@dhirenk420) April 15, 2017
But people mostly wanted Evan Spiegel to come to India to see all the poverty first hand, Munnabhai-style.
When @evanspiegel visits india ??#snapchat pic.twitter.com/OLiq95A8YV
— R E B E L (@GadhviLaxman) April 16, 2017