From Indiatimes · Karan Manral · · 1m 50s
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi & Trump on Apple's Secret Word Graylist
Apple's hidden list blocks terms like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe' from iOS keyboards.
In brief
Apple's hidden list blocks terms like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe' from iOS keyboards. Apple's iOS keyboard avoids suggesting politically sensitive terms like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe' in predictive text. Originally reported by Indiatimes.
Apple's secret word graylist
A researcher discovered an undisclosed multilingual list containing tens of thousands of words and phrases that Apple's iOS keyboard avoids suggesting through autocomplete and swipe-typing.
What the list includes
Most flagged terms are vulgar, offensive, or related to drugs, sex, and violence, but also include politically sensitive phrases like 'dictator trump' and 'sleepy joe'.
India connection
In Hindi, the keyboard blocks swipe-typing references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha leader of the opposition.
How the list was found
Derek Kauffman noticed stuttering during swipe-typing of phrases like 'bad boy' but not 'bad girl', leading him to uncover the list in September.
List size and verification
Kauffman estimated around 100,00:000 entries excluding Chinese characters, with Reuters and Tolmo engineer Matt Suiche independently confirming the list.
Inconsistencies in the list
The list allows 'read smut' but blocks 'read gay smut', highlighting inconsistent application of the filtering rules.
Apple's response
Apple attributes similar issues to errors and claims they have fixed them, but the list has been hidden for years.
Transparency concerns
Users have questioned iOS's predictive text restrictions for years, with phrases like 'al-Qaeda' and 'Auschwitz' appearing on uncovered lists.
Google's similar issues
Google has faced criticism and lawsuits over controversial autocomplete suggestions, similar to Apple's challenges.
Why it matters
The list shows how human communication has been filtered for years inside messaging apps, raising transparency concerns.
The big picture
Apple's iOS keyboard avoids suggesting politically sensitive terms like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe' in predictive text.
