Example of Palestinian flag displayed as a smart text suggestion for Jerusalem in iMessage
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Apple's latest software update for iOS 17, reaching iOS 17.4.1, appears to have made changes to the autocorrect system. A change that some social media users are using to criticize the company over accusations of anti-Semitism.
For some iOS users, typing “Jerusalem” will show the Palestinian flag as an additional emoji that can be added to iMessage. The problem isn't limited to predictive text: searching for a city using emoji search gives the same result.
Although AppleInsider was able to confirm the appearance of the flag, it is also not visible to all users. For example, although it appears when used on iOS in UK English dictionaries, it does not appear when used in US English dictionaries.
Apple isn't the only company to make a mistake either: The Jewish Chronicle explains that Google's Android keyboard also shows a flag when the capital of Israel is entered.
Due to Apple's extensive use of machine learning and analysis of the texts of millions of users, it is possible that the prediction system independently established the connection between the text string and the emoji.
Social Fury
Since the problem was discovered, Apple has been the target of social media posts condemning the company's mistake, likely caused more by machine learning than by malicious intent.
Renowned activist and British TV presenter Rachel Riley reached out to X to address Apple on the issue. She notes that there are many other capitals that do not have national flags.
“Demonstrating double standards towards Israel is a form of anti-Semitism, which is itself a form of racism against the Jewish people,” Riley complains. She then presses Apple support and CEO Tim Cook to explain “whether this is an intentional act by your company or whether you have no control over rogue programmers.”
Apple has not yet officially commented on this problem.
The new social media storm is the latest complaint Apple has to deal with over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
After employees called on management to do more for the Palestinian community on April 2, a protest was held at the Apple Store in Lincoln Park on April 6. The protest was held due to a management policy prohibiting employees from wearing pro-Palestinian accessories, which led to the dismissal of one employee.
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