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Apple restricts political phrases like 'Dictator Trump' and 'Sleepy Joe' from predictive text

A researcher discovered that Apple's iOS keyboard avoids suggesting or swipe-typing roughly 100,000 words and phrases, including sensitive political terms.

An illustration of an iPhone displaying the phrases 'Dictator Trump' and 'Sleepy Joe' with 'No suggestions' notifications, set against an Apple logo background.
Image: @MarioNawfal

Apple's iOS keyboard restricts a hidden list of roughly 100,000 words and phrases from autocomplete suggestions and swipe-typing, according to findings by a researcher reported by Reuters. The blocked catalog covers insults along with politically sensitive phrases such as "Dictator Trump," "Sleepy Joe," "Tibetan independence," and "United Ireland."[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Reuters tested several examples from the list and confirmed that the predictive restrictions are in place. In response, Apple stated that users are still able to type anything they want manually, emphasizing that the system is designed to avoid inappropriate suggestions.[2][5]

Key facts

  • A researcher uncovered a hidden list of roughly 100,000 words and phrases kept out of Apple's predictive text and swipe-typing features.
  • The restricted list includes political phrases and insults such as "Dictator Trump," "Sleepy Joe," "Tibetan independence," and "United Ireland."
  • Reuters verified the predictive text restrictions across multiple tested examples.
  • Apple stated that the keyboard is designed to prevent inappropriate suggestions and that users can still manually type any phrase.

Sources Β· 5 sources

  1. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X Β·

    EXCLUSIVE: Apple's predictive text restrictions include 'Dictator Trump' and 'Sleepy Joe,' researcher finds https://t.co/fnhfkXoBYB

    Open source
  2. AI

    Analytics Insight@analyticsinmePost on X Β·

    𝐀𝐩𝐩π₯πžβ€™π¬ π’πŽπ’ πŠπžπ²π›π¨πšπ«π π‘πžπ¬π­π«π’πœπ­π¬ 𝐏𝐨π₯𝐒𝐭𝐒𝐜𝐚π₯ 𝐏𝐑𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐒𝐜𝐭𝐒𝐯𝐞 π“πžπ±π­ Apple’s iOS keyboard reportedly keeps tens of thousands of phrases out of autocomplete and swipe-typing, including politically charged terms. Users can still type them manually. #Apple #iOS #PredictiveText #Apple #iOS #PredictiveText #TechNews #DigitalRights #AI #AINews #AnalyticsInsight #AnalyticsInsightMagazine Β  Read More πŸ‘‡ https://t.co/7p1DERZ5qg

    Open source
  3. TS

    The Straits Times@straits_timesPost on X Β·

    Apple’s predictive text restrictions include β€˜Dictator Trump’ and β€˜Sleepy Joe’, researcher finds https://t.co/4acPrODHvg

    Open source
  4. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X Β·

    EXCLUSIVE: Apple's autocomplete restrictions include 'Dictator Trump' and 'Sleepy Joe,' researcher finds https://t.co/tK0jhFUXj2

    Open source
  5. MN

    Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X Β·

    πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Your iPhone might be quietly deciding which political phrases you should type, and Apple never told you. A researcher has uncovered a hidden list of roughly 100,000 words and phrases that Apple's keyboard avoids suggesting or makes difficult to swipe-type. Among them: β€œDictator Trump,” β€œSleepy Joe,” β€œTibetan independence,” and β€œUnited Ireland.” Reuters tested several examples and confirmed the restrictions. Apple says users can still type anything they want, and that its keyboard is designed to avoid inappropriate suggestions. But when hundreds of millions of people use the same keyboard, how much influence can a company have over everyday language without anyone noticing? Source: Reuters / Writer: Samuel

    Open source
  6. TV

    The Verge@vergePost on X Β·

    iOS’s keyboard won’t suggest or swipe-type a lengthy list of insults and political phrases. https://t.co/E5MzeXMFVj

    Open source