Samsung Electronics was embroiled in controversy it posted pictures taken with digital single-sided (DSLR) cameras, not with smartphone cameras, while promoting Galaxy A8 Star camera function.
According to foreign media, Samsung Electronics put up a photo to explain the Galaxy A8 Star camera's background blur (live focus) function on its homepage around the world. There was enough room for consumers who visited the site to think that the photo was taken by a Galaxy A8 Star.
Serbia's photographer Dunja Djudjic, however, raised a question in DIY Photography, a community of photographers, saying that the photo was a selfie taken by himself with DSLR. "This photo was sold through “Getty Image,” which is a paid image site, but I didn't know it was being used to promote Samsung Electronics' smartphone function," he criticized.
In addition, Djudjic uploaded his original photo and the Galaxy A8 Star photo uploaded by Samsung Electronics together. The photo that Samsung Electronics posted had red background and red hair. Although Samsung did not plagiarize the photo, it is clear that it made fake ads that deceive consumers, he said.
Regarding the controversy, Samsung Electronics said, "It would have been a problem if we had specified that the photo was taken by a Galaxy A8 Star, but it is an additional photo to explain the camera’s background-blurring function. There is a small text at the bottom of the homepage that says it is a ‘directed one.’"
As more and more people pointed out that it was inappropriate to use the picture, Samsung Electronics added a message that "image was directed for the purpose of example" right below the photo of Djudjic.