If you have KFC’s app, they will often give you notifications on offers. Just like some other food businesses, they have been doing offers on special occasions. So if it’s the World Cup final, they may tell you that you can celebrate with a Bargain Bucket etc.
This feature was in the news recently, when the special occasion was actually a negative event.
Snopes covered the story, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kfc-kristallnacht
When translated to English, the message from KFC read, “It’s memorial day for Kristallnacht! Treat yourself with more tender Cheese on your crispy Chicken. Now at KFCheese!”
Kristallnacht, when translated, means “Crystal Night.” It refers to Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jewish people on Nov. 9-10, 1938.
Snopes
Snopes was given the following explanation:
On November 9, an automated push notification was accidently issued to KFC app users in Germany that contained an obviously unplanned, insensitive and unacceptable message and for this we sincerely apologise. We use a semi-automated content creation process linked to calendars that include national observances. In this instance, our internal review process was not properly followed, resulting in a non-approved notification being shared. We have suspended app communications while we examine our current process to ensure such an issue does not occur again. We understand and respect the gravity and history of this day, and remain committed to equity, inclusion and belonging for all.
Snopes
I think it’s a good example of why even simple automated features like this need to be manually reviewed. However, despite KFC saying the promotion should be manually reviewed, they somehow still published the message.
Stranger Coding Tings 