April 12, 2024

Tech Accessory Giant DBrand Faces Backlash From YouTuber Marques Brownlee Over Racist Remark

Marques Brownlee

In a controversial incident, DBrand, a Canadian tech accessory company known for its social media persona, faced severe backlash after making a racist remark about a customer’s last name. 

A Joke Taken Too Far?

The comment, which was intended to be humorous, was directed at Bhuwan Chitransh, a customer who had complained about the discoloration of a product he had purchased.

Chitransh’s initial tweet to DBrand was about a computer skin that changed color only two months after purchase. 

In a response that was seen as offensive, DBrand tweeted, “Your last name is basically shit rash. Be serious.” 

The attempt at humor – which has now been deleted – not only fell flat but also sparked outrage due to its racially insensitive nature, particularly towards Indian names.

“This comment reflects the invaluable perspective of a brand towards Indian customers,” Chitransh tweeted.

A $10,000 Offer 

The backlash was swift and severe, with social media users and tech influencers condemning the brand’s actions. 

Prominent tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee disapproved, stating he would only work with DBrand once the tweet was removed.

In response to the growing criticism, DBrand issued an apology, stating that their tweet was a “huge fumble.” They also directly apologized to Chitransh and offered him $10,000 as a gesture of goodwill. 

Adam Ijaz, CEO of DBrand, acknowledged the incident as a “severe lapse in judgment” in a statement to The Verge.

“We’ve been playing this gambit of poking fun at customers on social media for over a decade now. Moving forward, our aim is to maintain the satire without resorting to insensitivity,” he stated.

Sara Keenan

Tech Reporter at POCIT. Following her master's degree in journalism, Sara cultivated a deep passion for writing and driving positive change for Black and Brown individuals across all areas of life. This passion expanded to include the experiences of Black and Brown people in tech thanks to her internship experience as an editorial assistant at a tech startup.