Pushing for Inclusive Tech: The «I am not a typo» Campaign
The «I am not a typo» campaign is gaining momentum as it pushes technology companies to update their dictionaries with more non-Western names. A recent open letter by the campaign group highlights that 41 per cent of names given to babies in England and Wales are flagged as ‘incorrect’ by Microsoft’s English (UK) dictionary, with most of those names being of African or Asian origin. This issue is not only frustrating for individuals like Dhruti Shah, whose name is frequently autocorrected to words like «Dirty» and «Dorito,» but it also reflects a larger problem of cultural devaluation and lack of inclusivity in technology. The campaign is advocating for big tech companies to add these names to their software’s dictionaries to avoid them being flagged as wrong, ultimately aiming for a more diverse and respectful online environment.
Challenges in Technology Inclusivity for Racialized Communities
Research shows that the assumption that non-white names are incorrect creates a barrier that makes technology more cumbersome for racialized people to use. This issue not only affects individuals like Dhruti Shah, whose name originates from Sanskrit and has deep cultural significance, but it also contributes to a broader cultural devaluation of non-Anglo individuals and communities. Despite the simple solution of adding non-Western names to software dictionaries, big tech companies have been slow to address this issue, with concerns that fixing falsely autocorrected words is not a priority compared to other operating system issues. However, the campaign continues to advocate for inclusive tech solutions to ensure that everyone’s names are respected and recognized online.
The Urgency of Diversity in Tech: A Call for Action
The «I am not a typo» campaign is calling on tech developers to expand their dictionaries with more non-Western names to address the issue of frequent autocorrections for names of African or Asian origin. While some individuals may find autocorrect issues to be a minor annoyance, the impact of having one’s name constantly autocorrected to incorrect words can be seen as a microaggression and a lack of respect. The campaign emphasizes the importance of inclusive technology solutions that reflect a diverse and inclusive society, urging big tech companies to prioritize the inclusion of non-Western names in their software dictionaries. As the campaign gains support and awareness, it highlights the need for a more inclusive and respectful online environment for individuals of all cultural backgrounds.
