Playboy model Dani Mathers apologises for Snapchatting naked woman in gym changing room

Model provokes backlash on social media with users accusing her of body shaming and invading the privacy of the unidentified woman

A Playboy model has apologised for Snapchatting a naked woman at her gym alongside disparaging comments.

Dani Mathers, a model who was awarded 'Playmate of the year' by the men’s magazine in 2015, was widely condemned after sending a photo on Snapchat on Thursday of a seemingly unaware woman naked in a Los Angeles gym changing room. She then sent a photo of herself looking shocked with the caption: “If I can’t unsee this then you can’t either”.

Mathers received a backlash on social media for the photo with many accusing her of bullying and body shaming the woman and invading her privacy. Size 26 model Tess Holliday told Mathers to "educate" herself.

Mathers has since issued another Snapchat video where she tells the camera she “accidentally” sent the picture out on the social media platform and apologised for the original photo.

“That was absolutely wrong and not what I meant to do. I have chosen to do what I do for a living because I love the female body and I know that body shaming is wrong and that’s not what I’m about, that’s not the type of person I am.

“That photo was taken to be part of a personal conversation with a girlfriend and because I am new to Snapchat I didn’t realise that I had posted it and that was a huge mistake.

“I know I have upset a lot of people out there but please, please believe me when I say this is not the type of person I am. I have never done this before, I will never do this again, you have my word."

Since the incident, Mathers has been sacked from her radio hosting gig at KLOS and banned from all LA Fitness gyms.

A spokesperson for LA Fitness also told Entertainment Tonight they have reported her actions to the police.

A statement said: “Our written rules are very clear: Cell phone usage and photography are prohibited in the locker rooms. This is not only our rule, but common decency. Her behaviour is appalling and puts every member at risk of losing their privacy. Her membership has been permanently revoked at all our health clubs and law enforcement has been notified.”

Mathers also issued an apology on Twitter but since then her Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts have all disappeared.

Snapchat, who declined to comment when approached by the Independent, instruct in their community guidelines: “Do not take Snaps of people without their knowledge and consent” and “Take extra care not to violate people’s privacy in private spaces, such as someone’s home, a bathroom, dressing room or locker room”. In the guidelines, Snapchat says if a user violates these rules “we may remove the offending content or terminate your account. If your account is terminated, you won’t be allowed to use Snapchat again.”

The Independent has contacted representatives for Mathers and Playboy for comment.