Apple anti-sexting patent approved

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved a patent by Apple, called the "Text-based communication control for personal communication device." The technology will provide parental controls for texting, similar to those available for computers.

The filter will rate messages based on parameters set by the administrators (presumably parents). It will rate the content based on age or grade level of the user, and then either replace the inappropriate segment or cancel the message altogether. The settings can also be such that the administrator is notified of unauthorized messages.

Text message filtering isn't the most exciting new technology. Even so, it's sure to gain the attention of parents who have been subjected to countless TV news warnings about "sexting" among teenagers. While "sexting" isn't named as an intended target of the filter, it will surely be the most affected manner of text communication.

Though some will find this technology a blessing, teenagers will surely see it as another attack on their privacy. Teens might find this is the most invasive control since Sprint's Family Locator service. Perhaps they'll just have to go back to old-fashioned voice calls for their sensitive conversations.

source: TechCrunch via Textually