Did Binance Create a Twitter Emoji That Looked Like a Swastika?
The offensive emoji was deleted soon after.
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Claim
Cryptocurrency exchange company Binance briefly used a Twitter emoji that looked like a swastika.
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Fact Check
Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, had to remove a Twitter emoji that looked like a swastika after a number of internet users pointed out the resemblance. In late April 2022, the company revealed a new emoji (or “hashflag,” as the feature is called on Twitter).
The image was of a golden square with four Ls for arms, looking a lot like the symbol associated with Nazism. While the swastika symbol predates its use by fascists in Nazi Germany, the symbol is still used by neo-Nazis and other anti-Semitic extremist groups.
Soon after numerous people pointed out its connection, Binance tweeted that they were pulling it down.
Hashflags are a feature on Twitter that automatically adds a graphic of choice to the end of a hashtag, regardless of who tweets it. Many companies use them for their branding and have paid up to seven figures for the feature.
Sources:
“Binance Crypto Exchange Forced to Scrap Swastika-like Emoji.” BBC News, 21 Apr. 2022. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61166276. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
“Twitter’s Hashflags Are an Abomination, and They Must Be Stopped.” Gizmodo, https://gizmodo.com/those-weird-auto-emoji-in-your-twitter-feed-are-called-1733397229. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
