AT&T tweeted an apology on Wednesday about an advertisement that combines a smartphone with a memorial of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“We apologize to anyone who felt our post was in poor taste. The image was solely meant to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy,” it tweeted.
The company combined a BlackBerry Z10 with the 9/11 Tribute in Light, saying “Never Forget” in a tweet.
A number of users on Twitter slammed the ad, saying it was in poor taste and opportunistic.
According to Ars Technica, the Tribute in Light memorial featured in the ad is comprised of two light columns near the former World Trade Center site.
But many users said the ad was “tacky.”
“@ATT You’re ugly and you’re tacky. Seriously. SERIOUSLY,” user Jenna Moroney wrote.
“I will Never Forget what vultures you are. RT @ATT Never Forget,” wrote another.
The AT&T post with the smartphone ad was subsequently deleted.