In a terribly poor attempt to appeal to younger audiences, Europol thought the best way to promote active civic engagement on the internet is by using a language all the cool kids these days can speak: Emoji.
To commemorate the fourth annual World Emoji Day, the European law enforcement agency took to Twitter to ask its followers for help tracking down the most wanted fugitives on the continent. But while a few simple words would have sufficed, Europol opted for an alternative means of expression.
Resorting to a bizarre combination between English and Emoji, the agency replaced certain words and phrases with emoticons to get its message across:
On #Worldemojiday, Help ?trace the 50 ?? #MostWanted fugitives ??
Check https://t.co/f4l0kxIwwT Do U have any info?️? Let's catch them all ? pic.twitter.com/eh9zGD7vcm— Europol (@Europol) July 17, 2017
In fact, Europol was not alone in its desperate efforts to leverage World Emoji Day into attracting new followers.
The London Metropolitan Police Service had already resorted to the very same tactic earlier today:
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To ? #WorldEmojiDay we are reminding Londoners to ?? in an ? If it's a non-?, you can ?101 or tweet @MetCC ? pic.twitter.com/DKobrcv76g
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 17, 2017
In all fairness, Europol and the Metropolitan Police hardly the only one to have fallen for the ‘cool and hip’ approach.
Over a year ago, Microsoft hosted a company event where interns were invited to “get lit on a Monday” and luxuriate in a wide selection of “hella noms” and “lots of dranks.”
Google similarly tried playing it cool with the youngsters when it released a self-commissioned research – ridiculously titled It’s Lit: A guide to what teens think is cool – into what brands teenagers relate to the most.
Both attempts were wildly mocked in the end. But it seems neither Europol nor the Metropolitan Police got the memo.
Down with the rest of the cool kids? Tell us what you think about Europol’s hip tweets in three emoji or less – just like Hillary Clinton would’ve wanted you to.
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