The Jerusalem Emoji Controversy
Apple’s recent iOS 17.4.1 update has inadvertently sparked a debate that the company probably never wanted to be a part of. Pro-Israel social media users have noticed that when they type the word “Jerusalem” on their iPhone keyboard, the Palestinian flag emoji is being recommended. This discovery has caused an uproar, with some calling it a form of antisemitism. British TV host Rachel Riley took to social media to express her concerns, stating that this issue started after she upgraded her software.
The Status of Jerusalem
The city of Jerusalem has always been a contentious topic. While Israel claims it as its capital, only a few countries recognize this claim, including the United States after a move made by President Trump in 2017. However, the United Nations and most of the international community view Jerusalem differently, considering it as effectively two cities. East Jerusalem, including the Old City, is seen as part of the West Bank or Occupied Palestine.
Apple’s Response
Apple has acknowledged the issue and stated that the emoji recommendation was unintentional. The company plans to fix this bug in an upcoming update. However, it seems that not all iPhone users are experiencing this problem. It depends on their keyboard settings. Some users have reported that the Palestinian flag emoji is only recommended when using specific English keyboards.
Apple’s Past Controversies
This is not the first time Apple has found itself embroiled in controversies related to global affairs. In 2019, Apple removed the Taiwan flag emoji from its iOS keyboard for users in Hong Kong and Macau. Additionally, in the same year, Apple Maps designated Crimea as part of Russia, which sparked criticism. However, after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Apple Maps reverted the designation back to Ukraine for users outside of Russia.
Issues Beyond Apple
It’s worth noting that Apple is not the only tech company that has faced backlash related to global affairs. Last October, Palestinian Instagram users discovered that their bios were being inaccurately translated by the platform, labeling them as “Palestinian terrorists.” Meta, the parent company of Instagram, apologized for the mistake and issued a fix.
In conclusion, Apple’s recent iOS update inadvertently led to the recommendation of the Palestinian flag emoji when users typed “Jerusalem” on their iPhone keyboards. This issue has sparked controversy, with some accusing Apple of antisemitism. The company has acknowledged the problem and plans to fix it in a future update. However, Apple has faced similar controversies in the past, and it is not the only tech company to encounter issues related to global affairs.