Apple’s Patented Technology Will Automatically Make Explicit Content Family-Friendly
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Tim Cook recently reminded us “Apple is known to have strict rules around the kind of content it allows on the App Store and iTunes.” He even mentioned Steve Jobs sent an e-mail in 2010 clearly stating porn was never going to be on the App Store. He was quoted saying “Folks who want porn can buy an Android phone.”
Due to Apple’s low tolerance for family unfriendly content, Apple is making a move to censor bad words from their music streaming service according to James Cook from Business Insider. The overall idea regards management, replacement and removal of explicit lyrics during audio playback, and the patent for this new technology was filed in September 2014. The patent “outlines a system for detecting and marking explicit sections of tracks and then editing them to make them family-friendly,” says Cook.
It’s a positive move for parents who want to put their kids on their Apple Music family plan but are concerned about music with explicit content. Even some adults might want to use the feature for themselves. While foul language can be popular among some listeners, having an option to “bleep” out those words can be music to one’s ears.
This new system could either use a beeping noise or replace bad words with something different, says Cook. Most likely the system could use the word choice of the clean version of a song since many singers and bands have two versions of songs, one clean and one with explicit language. “The system patented by Apple also describes technology that could detect the music behind the lyrics and simply remove the swear words, generating background music so that the track continues seamlessly.”
Apple’s patent explains how their system could be used for audio books as well as music. Eliminating foul language from audio books, including sex scenes, would allow children to read the books adults enjoy. It’s not certain how many kids would want to read more mature material, but having it as an option might make some parents happy.
Writer James Cook says there isn’t an indication if or when Apple will censor music on iTunes or Apple Music in the near future. However, Beats 1 is currently is free from foul language.
It makes sense Apple would want to provide content suitable for everyone. That means limiting certain types of content for what appears to be the greater good. While sexual content is missing from the app store, for the most part, some content should be allowed if it has an artistic value. Apple determines what’s acceptable and not, meaning there is going to be some disagreement on what should be allowed. However, eliminating foul language with a filtering service makes sense. If it becomes a reality, it will likely be optional, which means listeners can still hear the original intent of songs, even ones with bad words.
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How do you feel about explicit content on Apple’s store? Should it be filtered? Let us know in the comments below.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
