Researcher Uncovers Apple's Secret iOS Autocomplete Blocklist

A recent investigation by researcher Derik Kauffman has brought to light a vast, hidden list of over 100,000 words and phrases that Apple's iOS actively blocks from its autocomplete and swipe-typing features. This extensive blocklist, spanning "every major language," aims to prevent the suggestion of potentially offensive, derogatory, or sensitive content. According to Kauffman's findings, while users retain the ability to type these words letter by letter, they are deliberately excluded from predictive text suggestions. Furthermore, when using swipe-typing, the iOS keyboard may automatically modify these blocked phrases. For instance, the system might alter "left wing conspiracy" to "left wrong conspiracy" to avoid suggesting the original phrase. The comprehensive list, which Kauffman has made publicly available online, includes individual sub-lists tailored for different languages. The majority of the blocked terms fall into categories such as offensive language, slurs, and content related to sex and drugs. However, the discovery also highlights the inclusion of politically charged phrases, exemplified by "dictator Trump" and "covid is a hoax," indicating a broader scope of content moderation within Apple's keyboard functionalities.