Nanny app takes naughty bits out of your novels
A new app that allows readers to swap swear words in their novels with sanitised versions is facing a backlash from furious authors, who have accused it of setting a dangerous precedent for censorship. The app, Clean Reader, has been designed to take "rude words" out of any book published in electronic form, with or without the permission of its author, and swap them with child-friendly versions.The technology works on a scale from just "clean" - removing swear words such as f*** - to "superclean",on a scale users can set.It has now been roundly criticised by some authors who believe it will have a severe adverse affect on their work.One called the development "f***ing horrifying"; others compared it to the type of censorship that "ends in burning books".Joanne Harris, the award-winning author of Chocolat and The Gospel of Loki, said she found the concept "infinitely more offensive than any of the words it blanks out". ..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.