



Apple explained that its emoji icons are based on the Unicode standard, which is used by many types of programs, apps and platforms to display text and icons the same as one another.

But because Unicode is in the hands of a consortium and not solely in Apple's control, the company can't simply issue an update. Instead, the Unicode Consortium must first accept any changes to the Unicode standard.

Emoji have become extremely popular among users, who include them in their text messages, Instagram comments and in their tweets. There are icons for food, vehicles and many other types of things. There are also several characters, but most are white and none are black.

MTV said it decided to email Apple about the diversity in its emoji after actor Tahj Mowry sent the following tweet:

It makes me mad that there are no black emojis...