Two major companies drew flak from Indians on social media on Saturday, after certain comments made by them, did not go down too well.
In the first incident, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, reportedly said that the app was "only for rich countries" and added that he did not want to "expand into poor countries like India and Spain."
Variety reported that Spiegel allegedly made those comments after an ex-employee brought up the app's performance in the two countries, during a meeting.
The former employee, Anthony Pompliano, has now filed a detailed lawsuit against the company, where he has made the claim.
Anthony has also accused the company of inflating statistics, to mislead investors.
According to reports, Snapchat had close to 4 million users in India last year, compared to 200 million users of Whatsapp in the country.
Many took to Twitter, and other social media platforms, to outrage.
I think Indians are more surprised by the fact that the Snapchat CEO called even Spain poor.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) April 15, 2017
"BC, Spain bhi gareeb hai???"
I felt this tide of fury at the Snapchat CEO but then it was gone in ten seconds.
— Rohan (@mojorojo) April 15, 2017
Dear Snapchat CEO, no India is not poor ... Your app is pointless ! @Snapchat
— Isheeta Bali (@isheetab) April 15, 2017
Snapchat CEO said that India is a poor country. He forgot that statements don't disappear after a few seconds like the snaps on his app.
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) April 15, 2017
The most depressed people after Snapchat CEO's statement are ṭhose Indians who sacrificed a promotion to go to Spain for an onsite project..
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) April 16, 2017
Many also used the hashtags #boycottsnapchat and #uninstallsnapchat, to make their point.
Meanwhile, Christian Freese, the general manager for Uber’s Bangalore office, also drew ire, after he said that "folks were rather locked up at home,” before Uber.
Speaking to New York Times, Freese went on to add, “Now you can see people go out, especially on the weekend. You just press a button and the car is there.”
This comment too, did not go down too well with Indians.
Yes @nytimes - before Uber, Indians just sat fretting by the windows, seeing a great big world they couldn't access. pic.twitter.com/BIm1X6Y0CO
— gopalsathe (@gopalsathe) April 15, 2017
Also, before Facebook, Indians just swatted flies all day. https://t.co/e3T8uOALy3
— Shivam M (@Observer68) April 15, 2017
Really amused by @Uber India comments & @evanspiegel of @Snapchat comments on Indians and India market !! pic.twitter.com/bUOWfXke5F
— K.Ganesh (@ganeshk03) April 15, 2017
But what about all the elephants we ride everywhere https://t.co/GARJ0EYxkX
— Samit Basu (@samitbasu) April 15, 2017
Well, to be honest, before Uber we just rode our elephants every day. For weekends, we had our decorated elephants. (via @IMSahilBhalla) https://t.co/GNxkNLnIGu
— Sarita Ramamoorthy (@ViolentVeggy) April 15, 2017