Apple has a secret list of banned autocomplete phrases including ‘dictator Trump’ and ‘covid is a hoax’
A researcher found over 100,000 words and phrases in "every major language" that are blocked from autocomplete and swipe-type in iOS, Reuters reports. The researcher, Derik Kauffman, says you can still type the words on the blocklist one letter at a time. But they won't pop up as
This revelation highlights Apple's efforts to shape user experience and potentially mitigate the spread of misinformation or hate speech through its predictive text features. The inclusion of phrases like 'dictator Trump' and 'covid is a hoax' on the blocklist suggests that the company is actively managing what it considers to be sensitive or problematic content.
The fact that these phrases are blocked from autocomplete and swipe-type, but can still be typed manually, raises questions about the effectiveness and transparency of such measures. For the AI and agent economy, this story underscores the complexities of content moderation and the role of tech companies in regulating online discourse. As AI-powered interfaces become increasingly prevalent, the boundaries between user input and algorithmic suggestion will continue to blur.
What's next to watch is how this blocklist is updated and maintained, and whether other tech companies follow suit with similar measures. Additionally, as AI-driven content moderation becomes more sophisticated, we can expect to see more nuanced approaches to managing user-generated content. The IP community will be keenly interested in exploring the technical and societal implications of these developments, particularly in the context of ongoing debates around free speech, censorship, and the responsibilities of tech platforms.
Originally reported by theverge.com. IPNews adds analysis for ai & agent economy readers.