Pic shows: Ksenia Sobchak looking at her iPhone during live broadcast while being under contract with Samsung
This is the moment that could cost President Putin's goddaughter an incredible 1.25 million GBP after she was caught on camera using her iPhone.
Ksenia Sobchak, 36, a journalist, politician and reality TV show host, is supposed to be the face of rival smartphone manufacturer Samsung.
But she was caught on camera using her iPhone X - despite the fact she tried to hide it under a sheet of paper - during a television interview.
Sobchak, 36, is reportedly now being sued by Samsung for an incredible 108 million RUB (1.25 million GBP) for the gaffe.
She is required by her contract to appear everywhere in public with her Samsung smartphone.
But Sobchak has reportedly been seen on television, and at some of the hottest social events in the capital city of Moscow, using her iPhone.
Her press agent has even taken to calling TV channels and other outlets asking them not to show pictures of her with the iPhone, according to local media.
Sobchak's representatives have yet to comment on the story which has sparked a lively debate on social media.
Netzen 'Gman‘ said: "Seriously, she has no principles even when she gets paid so much money", while 'el_Diablo' added: "Guilty as charged."
Sobchak - who ran against Putin in the Russian presidential elections earlier this year - used to have a party girl reputation and was dubbed the ‘Russian Paris Hilton’.
She is widely believed to be Putin’s goddaughter though neither has confirmed it publicly. Her father, Anatoly Sobchak, was the first elected mayor of Saint Petersburg and Putin's mentor.
In recent years, she has opposed Putin politically but it is believed their families are still close.
Ms Sobchak is married to Russian actor Maxim Vitorgan, 45. She has a one-year-old son, Platon, with him and is believed to be expecting their second child.
Samsung dan Apple, dua jenama besar yang saling bersaing dalam arena telefon pintar. Setiap keluaran model telefon pintar terbaru mereka sering menjadi perbandingan yang mana ia kadang-kala turut dijadikan subjek dalam sesebuah iklan untuk menyindir pesaing masing-masing.
Terbaru dalam menghangatkan isu permusuhan diantara dua jenama ini, apabila ia melibatkan pelanggaran kontrak oleh seorang duta Samsung dari Russia, iaitu Ksenia Sobchak yang merupakan pembaca berita.
Difahamkan Ksenia Sobchak yang pada ketika itu sedang dalam siaran langsung berita tersilap langkah apabila secara tidak sengaja terdedahkan telefon pintar miliknya yang merupakan Apple iPhone X, walaupun pada ketika itu ia telah dilindung dengan kertas putih.
Ksenia Sobchak ketika dilihat menggunakan Apple iPhone semasa siaran langsung diadakan.
Berikutan kecuaiannya itu, Samsung kini telah bertindak memfailkan saman bernilai £1.25 juta (lebih kurang RM6 juta) dan berkemungkinan besar Ksenia Sobchak akan ditamatkan kontrak sebagai duta Samsung.
Melihat kepada kes-kes seperti ini, mungkin ia dilihat sebagai tamparan hebat dan karma buat Samsung. Lebih-lebih lagi apabila Samsung acap kali mengeluarkan video-video komersil yang bersifat sindiran terhadap jenama buah itu.
Dalam situasi lain di negara kita sendiri, ramai dikalangan artis yang terpilih sebagai duta telefon pintar pelbagai jenama. Diharap mereka sentiasa berwaspada terhadap segala tindak tanduk mereka terutamanya ketika berada dikhalayak umum, ini kerana bagi mengelakkan kejadian yang tidak disengajakan seperti ini dapat dielakkan.
