Apple's Secret 100,000 Words List
Apple's iPhone keyboard blocks 100,000 words to prevent offensive language.
In brief
Apple's iPhone keyboard blocks 100,000 words to prevent offensive language. Apple's secret list of 100,000 words blocks predictive text for offensive phrases like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe'. Originally reported by mint.
Apple's Secret Word List
Apple maintains an undisclosed multilingual list of tens of thousands of words and phrases its iPhone keyboard avoids suggesting through predictive text, autocorrect and swipe-typing features.
Digital 'Grey List' Details
The list, described as a digital 'grey list', reportedly contains nearly 100,000 words and their variations, although it does not prevent users from manually typing them in messages, emails or other applications.
Flagged Expressions
Most flagged expressions are vulgar or offensive or relate to drugs, sex and violence. However, the list also includes politically sensitive phrases and expressions.
Politically Sensitive Phrases
Among the English-language expressions reportedly excluded from predictive text suggestions are 'dictator Trump', 'sleepy Joe', 'right wing conspiracy', 'Tibetan independence' and 'United Ireland'.
Multilingual Examples
In Hindi, the iPhone keyboard reportedly does not allow users to swipe-type 'Modi braggart' or 'Rahul is Pappu'. These expressions are derogatory references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, respectively.
Other Language Examples
Other examples cited by Kauffman include the French phrase 'immigration too high', which French-language users reportedly cannot swipe-type, and 'occupied territories', which is flagged in Hebrew.
Researcher's Findings
Kauffman said he understood Apple's intention to prevent users from accidentally sending obscene messages or inflammatory expressions. However, he questioned the consistency with which the company applies its filtering system.
Inconsistent Filtering
For example, the researcher found that users could swipe-type 'read smut', but the keyboard restricted the phrase 'read gay smut'.
How the List Was Discovered
Kauffman stumbled upon the list in September after noticing unusual interruptions while using the iPhone's swipe-typing feature.
Investigation Method
He used OpenAI's Codex and Anthropic's Claude Code to examine the operating system and identify the source of the problem.
Apple's Response
Apple told Reuters that users have always been able to type specific words and phrases manually and override predictive text suggestions.
What matters most
Apple's secret list of 100,000 words blocks predictive text for offensive phrases like 'dictator Trump' and 'sleepy Joe'.
