SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has responded to controversy surrounding a predictive emoji suggestion issue on iPhones, assuring users that it was unintentional and will be rectified in the next software update. The glitch caused the Palestinian flag emoji to be suggested to some users when they typed “Jerusalem” in messages, sparking accusations of anti-Israel bias against the Silicon Valley giant amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
British television presenter Rachel Riley highlighted the issue on social media, pointing out that typing “Jerusalem” prompted the suggestion of the Palestinian flag emoji, while other capital cities did not trigger similar emoji prompts. Riley argued that this discrepancy displayed double standards towards Israel and amounted to a form of antisemitism.
In response to the criticism, Apple clarified that the emoji suggestion was due to a software bug and not a deliberate action. The company assured users that the issue would be addressed in the upcoming update to its mobile operating system.
Riley concluded her post by expressing concern as “a Jewish woman” about the increasing global trend of antisemitism.
