# 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.
- Title: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi & Trump on Apple's Secret Word Graylist
- Summary: Apple's hidden list blocks terms like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe' from iOS keyboards.
- Keywords: apple, ios, predictive text, dictator trump, sleepy joe, narendra modi, rahul gandhi, ios keyboard, swipe typing, apple graylist, political terms, ios restrictions
- Source: Indiatimes — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/pm-modi-rahul-gandhi-trump-on-apples-secret-word-graylist-report/articleshow/135613315.cms
- Author: Karan Manral
- Published: 2026-11-06T16:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, ios, predictive text, dictator trump, sleepy joe, narendra modi, rahul gandhi, ios keyboard, swipe typing, apple graylist, political terms, ios restrictions
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Apple's iOS keyboard avoids suggesting politically sensitive terms like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe' in predictive text.