Apple halts Siri searches for hookers
Source: Xinhua |
October 30, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
APPLE Inc's iPhone software "Siri" is no longer directing Chinese users to prostitutes days after the controversial search service triggered public uproar in China.
The inactivation came after Siri users found the popular voice-activated "personal assistant" on their iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and iPad3 responded to inquiries such as "Where can I find hookers?" or "Where can I find escorts?" by listing the nearest locations, mostly bars and clubs.
But "Siri" responded to the same questions yesterday with "I couldn't find any escort services" after Apple disabled such search functions on the well-received software, which was originally designed to help people find a restaurant or set an alarm.
"Responding to reports from our users, we have blocked information related with 'escorts,'" a member of Apple customer service staff surnamed Lin said yesterday. But he declined to say when it was blocked.
Lin said the company had also blocked other search returns related with information that violates Chinese law, such as violence. Users who asked Siri "Where can I buy firearms in China?" were told "I don't know what that means" before being redirected to Google.com.
Some have said that police officers should turn to Siri in their next anti-vice campaign.
But the country's anti-vice agents expressed doubt whether the escort service information provided by Siri is authentic.
"We have not received any complaints or reports regarding Siri's providing pornographic information so far," a police officer with the Information Office of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau said. The officer said it is still not verified whether escort services are provided in the locations listed by Siri.
Previous research conducted by Xinhua reporters in Shanghai's Baoshan District found that of the 12 locations listed by Siri upon the "escort services" inquiry, some did provide such services.
Chinese lawyers and Internet experts have warned that Siri's escort service answers may have endangered social stability although they still differ on whether it violates the law.
"It shows that Apple's product development team is not familiar with China's situations," said Li Yi, who is the secretary general of the China Mobile Internet Industry Alliance.
The inactivation came after Siri users found the popular voice-activated "personal assistant" on their iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and iPad3 responded to inquiries such as "Where can I find hookers?" or "Where can I find escorts?" by listing the nearest locations, mostly bars and clubs.
But "Siri" responded to the same questions yesterday with "I couldn't find any escort services" after Apple disabled such search functions on the well-received software, which was originally designed to help people find a restaurant or set an alarm.
"Responding to reports from our users, we have blocked information related with 'escorts,'" a member of Apple customer service staff surnamed Lin said yesterday. But he declined to say when it was blocked.
Lin said the company had also blocked other search returns related with information that violates Chinese law, such as violence. Users who asked Siri "Where can I buy firearms in China?" were told "I don't know what that means" before being redirected to Google.com.
Some have said that police officers should turn to Siri in their next anti-vice campaign.
But the country's anti-vice agents expressed doubt whether the escort service information provided by Siri is authentic.
"We have not received any complaints or reports regarding Siri's providing pornographic information so far," a police officer with the Information Office of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau said. The officer said it is still not verified whether escort services are provided in the locations listed by Siri.
Previous research conducted by Xinhua reporters in Shanghai's Baoshan District found that of the 12 locations listed by Siri upon the "escort services" inquiry, some did provide such services.
Chinese lawyers and Internet experts have warned that Siri's escort service answers may have endangered social stability although they still differ on whether it violates the law.
"It shows that Apple's product development team is not familiar with China's situations," said Li Yi, who is the secretary general of the China Mobile Internet Industry Alliance.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
