Mark Zuckerberg apologized for his Puerto Rico virtual reality video on Tuesday, following backlash from critics calling the video "tasteless" and "tone-deaf," The Washington Post noted.
The video features 3-D cartoons of the Facebook CEO and another executive taking a virtual reality tour of devastated Puerto Rico while speaking about the company's VR app "Spaces."
While the live-streaming VR video was intended to highlight the company's efforts to provide relief to the hurricane ravaged island, it had the undertones of a poorly put-together marketing campaign for the new Facebook feature.
"One of the things that's really magical about virtual reality is you can get the feeling that you're really in a place," the cartoon Zuckerberg said in the video, according to The Washington Post.
"It feels like we're really here in Puerto Rico where it's obviously a tough place to get to now."
The video drew criticism, forcing Zuckerberg to post an apology in reply to a comments on the video.
"One of the most powerful features of VR is empathy," he wrote.
"My goal here was to show how VR can raise awareness and help us see what's happening in different parts of the world. I also wanted to share the news of our partnership with the Red Cross to help with the recovery. Reading some of the comments, I realize this wasn't clear, and I'm sorry to anyone this offended."
Hurricane Maria pummelled Puerto Rico and resulted in 34 deaths and massive damage to the island's infrastructure. Weeks later and many communities are still waiting for power and clean water.
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