Main points
- Ukrposhta was accused of sexualizing children through a collaboration with a clothing brand, which caused outrage online.
- Director Igor Smilyansky noted that he did not see a problem, but was ready to take into account the opinion of society.
Ukrposhta was hacked in Threads / Screenshot from the social network
Ukrposhta is once again at the center of a scandal. This time, the well-known company was accused of sexualizing children. The reason was the post office's new collaboration with a Ukrainian clothing brand.
What is known about the scandal?
Ukrposhta has already commented on the situation in its Instagram post.
Friends, we sincerely regret that the photoshoot of our partners caused outrage among many. We are about mail, not fashion. But as partners of the project, we understand that we are responsible for the content that appears under the Ukrposhta brand,
– they write on the social network.
The post says that part of the team remembers the school years of the 2000s – with miniskirts, skinny jeans and the spirit of teenage rebellion. And the idea of the photo shoot appealed to these memories.
However, Ukrposhta did not take into account what this might look like in the current context, particularly in the context of sensitivity to the topic of sexualization of children.
We sincerely regret that such an association has arisen,
– the company added.
Ukrposhta also emphasized that the company:
- does not support or tolerate any form of sexualization of minors;
- does not aim to promote risky behavior.
Note! The company thanked everyone who drew attention to the problem. Ukrposhta also promised to review its approaches to partnership projects to prevent similar situations in the future.
What post are you talking about?
The collaboration between Ukrposhta and the Ukrainian clothing brand Rikky Hype was “cheated” online. Corresponding posts can be seen in Threads, where people are just reposting the deleted post.
Post in Threads
The incident caused outrage among Ukrainians, who accused the company of sexualizing children. They also mentioned that they wanted to introduce marriages in Ukraine from the age of 14. In addition, Jeffrey Epstein was not left out.
Comments were even left by the author of the well-known Telegram channel “Lachen Pyshe” Igor Lanchenkov and the co-founder of Monobank Oleg Gorohovsky.
Screenshot from Threads
Screenshot from Threads
What does the director of Ukrposhta say?
Ukrposhta Director Ihor Smilyansky explained the situation in detail. He was the first to note that he had not seen what photos the company had prepared for the joint project.
Second, Smilyansky wrote that he doesn't see a problem in those photos. But if a certain part of society sees one, then the company takes a break to make a final decision.
The brand team just posted their school photos and memories that inspired them for this project, which once again convinced me that no one had planned anything “like this”,
– added the company director.
He noted that if it “really doesn't meet some standards,” it would be:
- or a new image is proposed;
- or postponed collaboration.
I don't accept hypocrisy. When people on social media who don't hold back from using foul language suddenly become the epitome of chastity on the level of Mother Teresa (although there are already questions about her), this is not concern for schoolchildren, but an attempt to ride the hype,
– said Igor Smilyansky.
Interesting! In particular, he mentioned Britney Spears' videos and noted that no one watches them.
What else is known about the scandals with Ukrposhta?
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Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smilyansky has previously been embroiled in a scandal. He called a Threads social network user a “prostitute.” All this happened against the backdrop of a scandal over the rebranding of Ukrposhta.
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Smilyansky said he would not apologize. However, he admitted that he could have reacted differently to the online scandal.