Apple's 'anti-sexting' patent generating big buzz

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
Apple patents are a dime a dozen but one discovered this week is grabbing the attention of even the largest media conglomerates because it appears as if it could be used by parents to prevent their children from participating in sexually-explicit text message conversations.



The patent titled "Text-based communication control for personal communication device," originally filed by Apple in January of 2008, was awarded to the iPhone maker on Tuesday by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.



Although Apple has yet to implement the technology in a shipping product, it promises to allow administrators -- or parents -- to set permission controls that could prevent children from sending and receiving explicit text messages, more commonly referred to as "sexting."



Messages containing unauthorized text could either be censored or deleted entirely before reaching the recipient, and parents could select an option that would allow them to receive an alert should their child attempt to begin sexting with one of their friends.



Apple says the technology behind the parental controls would also be capable of evaluating whether or not a text message communication contains approved text based on, for example, objective ratings criteria or a user's age or grade level.



By these same conventions, the technology outlined in Apple's patent could also be put to educational use as a study tool, according to the filing. Parents could turn text messaging into an instructional tool or study aid by setting one or more modes, such as language, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation.



For example, parents can require a child who is slumping in their foreign language class to send a certain number of text messages each week in that language. Should the child not meet that quota, their texting privileges could be dialed back or revoked.







Along the same lines, the technology could also force children to brush up on their grammar, requiring that messages include designated vocabulary words, proper spelling, as well as correct grammar and punctuation, all based on a skill level set by their parents.



Although Tuesday's patent covers only text-based communications and not explicit imagery, Apple's intellectual property portfolio already contains face detecting technology that has since found its way into the company's iLife suite of digital lifestyle applications. As such, it's conceivable that particular technology could be adapted in time to detect other body parts, allow parents to pull the plug on all forms of "sexting."
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 58
    The patent only applies to written communications, so I don't think that even qualifies as "sexting". Leave it to our crap pile media (and you're not helping, AI) to deliberately misinterpret the story in order to generate more salacious headlines to attract frustrated and bored readers. It's an old, weak game.
  • Reply 2 of 58
    applappl Posts: 348member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    As such, it\\\\\\'s conceivable that particular technology could be adapted in time to detect other body parts, allow parents to pull the plug on all forms of \\\\\\"sexting.\\\\\\"



    Will Apple implement this as a standard feature on iPhones? So that their devices could not be used for illicit purposes?



    After all, if people want porn, Android has them covered (or uncovered, as the case may be



    Apple has undertaken extensive efforts to be sure that our apps are free of porn, but they do nothing with respect to pictures, text messages or the web. This technology could help ensure that no iOS device is used for any smutty stuff.
  • Reply 3 of 58
    kasperkasper Posts: 941member, administrator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post


    The patent only applies to written communications, so I don't think that even qualifies as "sexting". Leave it to our crap pile media (and you're not helping, AI) to deliberately misinterpret the story in order to generate more salacious headlines to attract frustrated and bored readers. It's an old, weak game.



    Lots of complaining today, Spam. Tired? The patent is relevant and interesting.



    K
  • Reply 4 of 58
    cimcim Posts: 197member
    In before the Apple hating idiots try to tie this to the App Store policies?
  • Reply 5 of 58
    cimcim Posts: 197member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by CIM View Post


    In before the Apple hating idiots try to tie this to the App Store policies?



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by appl View Post


    Will Apple implement this as a standard feature on iPhones? So that their devices could not be used for illicit purposes?



    After all, if people want porn, Android has them covered (or uncovered, as the case may be



    Apple has undertaken extensive efforts to be sure that our apps are free of porn, but they do nothing with respect to pictures, text messages or the web. This technology could help ensure that no iOS device is used for any smutty stuff.



    I spoke too soon.
  • Reply 6 of 58
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,056member
    Breaking: ESPN reports the Minnesota Vikings have just purchased an app with this technology.
  • Reply 7 of 58
    Two points...

    First, teens will find a way to send a text that communicates the message they have. Rather than the word F**K, they would simply text FK.



    Second, isn't 'sextin' more about photos? Find a way to stop the camera from sending an image of a boob. (Well, unless it's our favorite boob - Ballmer).
  • Reply 8 of 58
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member
    I thought the sexting was sending explicit pictures to other teens. Although with Apple's face recognition technology maybe it could be adapted to work as genitalia recognition.
  • Reply 9 of 58
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kasper View Post


    Lots of complaining today, Spam. Tired? The patent is relevant and interesting.



    K



    The patent is relevant and interesting, but the story is deliberately misleading. Why is that?



    Also, I have not been doing "lots of complaining", Kasper. I try to call it as I see it.
  • Reply 10 of 58
    This should be on all phones. Apple should release it to the public. People dont buy iPhones for being kid friendly. They buy it because of the other cool stuff does (like apps).
  • Reply 11 of 58
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by FormerARSgm View Post


    Two points...

    First, teens will find a way to send a text that communicates the message they have. Rather than the word F**K, they would simply text FK.



    Second, isn't 'sextin' more about photos? Find a way to stop the camera from sending an image of a boob. (Well, unless it's our favorite boob - Ballmer).



    my thoughts exactly. looks pretty crude. i could outwit this and i KNOW the average teen could. ex: i'm hungry. if you got the peanut butter i got the jelly. lol @ my uncle steve jobs.
  • Reply 12 of 58
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Damn, that will kill sales to teens if true! TG in my day we had paper, pens, envelopes and stamps! Seiously though you have to remember what is considered totally healthy and normal in Europe is often considered shocking and disgusting in modern America.
  • Reply 13 of 58
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by coolcatdaddy View Post


    my thoughts exactly. looks pretty crude. i could outwit this and i KNOW the average teen could. ex: i'm hungry. if you got the peanut butter i got the jelly. lol @ my uncle steve jobs.



    They'll speak NA'VI LOL
  • Reply 14 of 58
    zoetmbzoetmb Posts: 2,654member
    The kids who are most likely to sext have parents who would be the most unlikely to place limits on them. So I'm not sure how much practical use this has although it might make for good marketing and imaging.



    Also, it seems to me this has to work on the receiving end as well as the sending end. This way parents who do care about these things can limit what messages their kids receive.



    And while I realize that it's supposed to look for context, I don't see how it can stop FK U or U R A hor (which reminds me of the line from "The Odd Couple" where Oscar says after reading an insane note left by Felix, "It took me 20 minutes to realize that F U meant Felix Ungar.")



    But if it did work, I guess the kids will have to regress back to "You smell and your mother dresses you funny. Reply: "Your mutha!"



    But it's all moot if it doesn't prevent sexual images and I don't see how it can.
  • Reply 15 of 58
    In related news, Apple patents method of transmitting Finder commands using telepathy and three giraffes.
  • Reply 16 of 58
    This reminds me of two old Dilbert cartoons... Kids always manage to find ways around parental controls if they're driven enough.
  • Reply 17 of 58
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by macinthe408 View Post


    In related news, Apple patents method of transmitting Finder commands using telepathy and three giraffes.



    You know some tool will grip the giraffe too tightly strangling it and try to sue Apple when this fails!
  • Reply 18 of 58
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JakeTheRock View Post


    This reminds me of two old Dilbert cartoons... Kids always manage to find ways around parental controls if they're driven enough.



    Loved the cartoon. In fact they will try even harder if there are parental controls. Adults are no different. Not porn as such here but 'control' all the same ... look at prohibition and more recently the opposite effect ... a massive drop in problems in Spain after relaxing drug laws. I love Apple but I'd rather they kept clear of this.
  • Reply 19 of 58
    dunksdunks Posts: 1,254member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by zoetmb View Post


    But it's all moot if it doesn't prevent sexual images and I don't see how it can.



    We already have cameras that can recognize and take a photo when you smile.

    Chatroulette has technology that can detect male genitals in a live webcam feed.

    Didn't apple buy a company that had face detection technology from within video.



    A way for Apple to appear more wholesome and worry free for parents is probably an easy path to more sales. Though why any kid would be given an iPhone is beyond me.
  • Reply 20 of 58
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dunks View Post


    We already have cameras that can recognize and take a photo when you smile.

    Chatroulette has technology that can detect male genitals in a live webcam feed.

    Didn't apple buy a company that had face detection technology from within video.



    A way for Apple to appear more wholesome and worry free for parents is probably an easy path to more sales. Though why any kid would be given an iPhone is beyond me.



    How sad America thinks this way. I guess pictures of many great master pieces are screwed. It reminds me of the morons wanting to cover Michelangelo sculpture.
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