The iPhone's Adult Content Filter Restricts Material Labeled as 'Asian'
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Apple's "Limit Adult Websites" filter, found in the iOS Screen Time settings, might lead you to believe it blocks Google search results for specific racial or ethnic terms, such as "Asian." However, that's not the case. The filter's primary purpose is to control adult content access – it doesn't categorize search terms based on racial or ethnic backgrounds.
To set up the filter, navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Toggle on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and move to "Content Restrictions" > "Web Content" > "Limit Adult Websites." Once enabled, the filter blocks access to adult-rated websites, but it doesn't influence Google search results regarding racial or ethnic terms.
One common misconception is that terms like "Black," "white," "Korean," "Arab," "French," or simply "Asian" will be affected. But the filter bypasses these search terms, and while some pornographic search terms are blocked, others aren't. By way of example, "schoolgirl" is not restricted, but "redhead" is.
The initial report of this issue surfaced in December 2019, when an iOS developer named Steven Shen left a response on Apple's support forum regarding the unreasonable blocking of "Asian" in Google search results. Despite his comment, no action from Apple was taken. When Gizmodo contacted Apple for a statement, they failed to promptly reply.
There's a prevailing question: How does Apple determine which search terms are adult and which aren't? It's speculated that this issue may be a mistake from an AI program that scans popular pornographic terms or perhaps a curated list by human supervisors with unfortunate consequences.
Regardless of the method, the blocking of the term "Asian" inadvertently or intentionally (given its frequent connection to fetishization) implies that Asian women are viewed as submissive nymphomaniacs or dragon ladies. This raises concerns about the stereotypes that still persist in society, especially when the blocking seems to solely affect the "Asian" term.
Using the word "Asian" in a Google search might pertain to various reasons, such as travel planning, food research, recipes, geography, or even an Asian Elephant sighting. However, if a user wants to discover theја history of the Asian-American community or their children are interested in learning more about it, they will be met with restrictions.
In conclusion, Apple's "Limit Adult Websites" filter should not be employed to block access to racially or ethnically charged search terms, as Google's algorithms are not swayed by iOS's restrictions.
The article discusses the misconception that Apple's "Limit Adult Websites" filter affects search terms based on racial or ethnic backgrounds, specifically mentioning "Asian." (contains: technology, tech, future, Apple, filtering)
Gizmodo reached out to Apple for a statement regarding the unreasonable blocking of the term "Asian" in Google search results, but they did not promptly reply. (contains: Gizmodo, blocking, Apple, statement)
The use of the word "Asian" in a Google search might be for various reasons, such as travel planning or food research, but users may face restrictions if they want to learn about the Asian-American community. (contains: Google, search, Asian, community, restrictions)
As technology advances, efforts should be made to ensure that AI programs and human curators do not unintentionally perpetuate harmful stereotypes, such as the one seen with the filtering of the term "Asian." (contains: technology, AI, human, stereotypes, filtering, term)
