India's Shaadi.com removes skin tone filter after online backlash

Shaadi.com asked users to define their skin colour when registering online

Matrimonial matchmaking website Shaadi.com has removed a controversial skin tone filter following online criticism.

Meghan Nagpal was using the website to find a partner of Indian origin when she discovered the complexion filter, reports BBC. After she discussed the filter on a Facebook group, group member Hetal Lakhani launched an online petition asking for removal of the filter.

The filter prompted new users creating a profile to choose between light and dark skin tone options.

Following the launch of the petition, which was also shared on Twitter, Meghan and Hetal say Shaadi.com then responded to them on Twitter claiming it was a "blindspot" they had missed on their site and the filter was removed overnight.

Earlier, Snapchat took down a “Juneteenth”-themed filter and apologized to users for the lens, which drew criticism for being insensitive, the photo messaging app’s parent Snap Inc said on last week.

The filter used Pan-African flag as a backdrop and prompted users to smile, which caused chains to appear behind them and then break, CNBC reported earlier in the day. Reuters could not verify the filter as it was no longer available.

This article originally appeared on BBC