Snapchat is “only for rich people,” company CEO Evan Spiegel is quoted in a lawsuit – a remark that has the newest social media IPO in damage control.
Spiegel reportedly said the app was “only for rich people” and that he had no desire “to expand into poor countries like India and Spain,” according to Business Insider.
Four million Snapchat users are in India.
Snapchat denies Spiegel said it.
Anthony Pompliano, an executive leading Snapchat's growth efforts for a short while in 2015, claimed in a lawsuit that Spiegel made the comments to him in a September meeting that year.
The Guardian said Pompliano was suing Snapchat for apparently destroying his career and reputation by firing him after just three weeks with the company.
A Snapchat rep disputed the truthfulness of Pompliano’s claim.
“This is ridiculous,” the rep told the Business Insider on Sunday. “Obviously, Snapchat is for everyone! It’s available worldwide to download for free. Those words were written by a disgruntled former employee. We are grateful for our Snapchat community in India and around the world.”
Although the company categorically denies the claim made in Pompliano’s lawsuit, that hasn’t stopped many in India from expressing their outrage on social media.
In fact, the hashtags #BoycottSnapchat and #UninstallSnapchat became trending topics over the weekend.