They said what? Twitter's epic fails of 2013

WHETHER it's attempting to capitalise from tragedy or mistaking humour for cultural insensitivity, these social media users have famously found themselves in hot water.

Well, this is awkward.

OH NO THEY didn't.

Whether it's mistakenly attempting to capitalise off of a tragedy or mistaking humour for cultural insensitivity, these users have famously found themselves in hot water this year for posting tweets they probably wish they could take back.

Twitter has seen some epic stuff-ups over the last year, and we've packaged the year's biggest social media blunders into one cringe-worthy package. We give you Twitter's epic fails of 2013.

SEAL

When Joel Madden was busted for possession of a small amount of marijuana at Sydney's Star Casino in June, Seal took aim at the media and The Star on Twitter in a blazing tirade for their treatment of his fellow Voice coach. Seal later apologised and said he loved being in Australia and working with an "incredibly talented group of Australian artists". Little bit too late, Seal.

Seal didn't win any fans for this Twitt...

CRICKET AUSTRALIA

Cricket Australia was criticised of insensitivity after posting this attempt at a joke on English spinner Monty Panesar on the opening morning of the second Ashes Test. It didn't take Cricket Australia long to delete the post, responding: "We apologise for any offence caused with our previous tweet. That was certainly not the intention. It has been removed."

Cricket Australia's facepalm...

BURGER KING

Burger King employees woke up to a surprise in February to see the fast-food company's Twitter picture changed to a McDonald's logo, with the account tweeting that it had been sold to their golden-arched rival. It was later revealed the account had been hacked. "We empathise with our @burgerking counterparts," McDonald's tweeted. "Rest assured, we had nothing to do with the hacking."

Well, this is awkward.

JUSTINE SACCO

IAC public relations rep Justine Sacco sparked international outrage after tweeting an inflammatory and racist remark about AIDS in South Africa. "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white!" she tweeted. The tweet quickly went viral and was later deleted, but the damage was already done.

Justine Sacco's tweet that caused an international u...

KENNETH COLE

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole seemed to have misunderstood Pentagon spokesman George Little when he said that there will be no "boots on the ground" in Syria in September. Oh dear, this is what he tweeted in response.

"Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear

— Kenneth Cole (@KennethCole) September 5, 2013

HOME DEPOT

US home improvement retailer Home Depot scrambled to delete a highly racist tweet in August, describing it as "dumb". You betcha. "We have zero tolerance for anything so stupid and offensive," Home Depot tweeted in response.

Here's a screenshot of the @HomeDepot tweet... pic.twitter.com/R1GmK5Iwv6

— Jonathan (@imfromraleigh) November 7, 2013

ROBIN THICKE

Caught in the act. A picture showing singer Robin Thicke at a VMA after party in New York with his arm around an unidentified blonde was tweeted directly to his wife, Paula Patton, in August. Unfortunately for him, the photo was taken in front of a mirror and the reflection clearly shows he has his hand up the back of the blonde's very short skirt.

Caught out, Robin.

AT&T

US mobile phone provider AT&T failed miserably in their attempt to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Sept, 11 attacks, receiving a barrage of criticism for this ad campaign. "We apologise to anyone who felt our post was in poor taste. The image was solely meant to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy," they later tweeted.

#NeverForget that AT&T just tweeted and deleted this: pic.twitter.com/vFppOuPkuj

— A24 (@A24Films) September 11, 2013

@ATT How dare you?! You're using this tragedy to ADVERTISE? GFY.

— Joe Manna (@JoeManna) September 11, 2013

MARTHA STEWART

Martha, Martha, Martha. When Martha Stewart broke her iPad in August, she wanted the world to know about it. And then she wanted Apple to personally pick it up and fix it. Problem was, Martha had to learn the hard way that Apple customers don't have that luxury.

Maybe I have had a good entrepreneurial idea? Apple Now? Like same day delivery from Amazon? I think I am on to something. Same day fixit!!!

— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 26, 2013

I am still waiting for an apple rep to come pick up my IPad. No action yey

— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 26, 2013

I just dropped my iPad on the ground and shattered two glass corners. What to do?does one call Apple to come and pick it up or do I take it?

— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 25, 2013

So is it time to put out the fires and admit I was just pissed off at the fact my precious ipad shattered and I wanted to make light of it??

— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 26, 2013

but it is impossible so i will deal with it all silently and hope that apple will fix everything so i can function again with proper tools

— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 27, 2013

EPICURIOUS

Twitter was outraged when Conde Nast food website Epicurious used the Boston Bombings to promote its breakfast recipes. Not once, but twice. Epicurious furiously tweeted their critics in response afterwards but it just didn't seem to stick: "We truly regret that our earlier food tweets seemed insensitive," they wrote in reply. "Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Boston."

What's the best dish to serve with terrorism? just ask the mind-bogglingly out-of-touch team at @epicurious. #Boston pic.twitter.com/eSii7AWS2P

— John Anthony (@chocobohomo) April 17, 2013

@AskAaronLee Awful stuff from @epicurious - apology tweet said "seems insensitive." No, fools! Was insensitive.

— Georgia Lewis (@georgialewis76) April 16, 2013