Apple Pledges to Resolve Dictation Glitch That Misinterprets ‘Racist’ as ‘Trump’

Get your free access to the White House Watch newsletter.

Discover what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the rest of the world.

Apple is working to fix a quirky glitch in its voice-to-text feature. Users reported that when they dictated certain words, the function sometimes replaced them with “Trump,” including in instances where it was inappropriate, like with the word “racist.”

This bug gained attention after a TikTok video went viral and was quickly picked up by conservative commentators. Apple acknowledged the issue and stated they would roll out a fix.

The tech giant explained that the problem stemmed from the speech recognition model mixing up words that sound similar. This led to “Trump” appearing when dictating other “r” words.

Many users shared videos showcasing the glitch on social media, with some commentators suggesting it was a deliberate tactic. A video demonstrating the issue gained wide popularity on TikTok, highlighting how easily such glitches can spread.

The glitch came just after Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, which seems to be a move to strengthen ties with the current administration. This investment was discussed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, emphasizing the administration’s impact on the business landscape.

Given the tensions between the U.S. and China, Apple is looking to navigate these waters carefully. They perceive potential benefits in aligning with Trump’s administration, especially against EU regulations targeting Big Tech.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, has been known for his efforts to maintain a good relationship with Trump, even appearing alongside him during his inauguration. In a recent shareholder meeting, Cook also addressed a proposal from a conservative group aimed at changing Apple’s diversity policies, which shareholders ultimately turned down.

Despite conservative pressures, Apple has stood firm on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, although Cook suggested that adjustments may be necessary to meet evolving legal requirements.

Apple has been facing challenges with software issues lately. Just last month, they had to remove an automated news feature that was providing misleading content. Meanwhile, they are rolling out significant updates to their iPhone software, introducing AI features they hope will enhance user experience, despite mixed reviews so far.