[8/31/2015] - Profanity Filter

RiotKeyru·Aug 31, 2015·42 votes·19,645 views

Hey everyone!

As some of you may have noticed, a profanity filter suddenly popped up over the weekend. As it turns out, the Boards have actually had a profanity filter all along - it’s just been broken on the NA Boards. The Boards Dev team fixed the bug in question, and the filter kicked in automatically with an old list of words. This was entirely our bad for coming out nowhere, and we apologize for any confusion and inconvenience.

We will not be disabling the filter as it can be useful for spam / phishing prevention as well as truly egregious stuff, but we will be entirely nuking the current list of filtered words for the NA Boards. Right now we’re populating the list with known phishing/scamming links, and we’re looking to expand the list with other words/terms that the community doesn’t want here.

For the purpose of this discussion, moderators will not be punishing the use of inappropriate language so long as words are 1) simply listed, and 2) not used maliciously. If used inappropriately, we will take immediate and appropriate action. Thanks for participating!

EDIT (9/2/2015 1:56PM PST):

Thanks everyone for the suggestions for filtered words. I'll continue to update the list as more suggestions come in that we see should be included. Here is the current list of what will be added by the end of week. Keep in mind that the filtering of these words does not exclude the offender from punishment.

beaner n1gger nigger nigg3r n1gg3r nigg@ nigga niqqa n1qqa n1qq4 n1qq@ niqq4 niqq@ n1gg@ n1gga ching chong chinaman chink tranny sand nigger cunt faget f@get f4get fag3t f@g3t f4g3t fag f@g f4g fgt f@gget fagget f@ggit fagit f@g1t f4g1t fag1t faggit faggot f@ggot fagg0t f@gg0t f4ggot f4gg0t gook g00k go0k g0ok spick

245 Comments

AA VoiceraderAug 31, 201555 votes

Apple Can't be having that forbidden fruit mentioned anywhere around MY GD.

RottedApplesAug 31, 20156 votes

I find this offensive.

Quality ContentAug 31, 201521 votes

I second this. I want to be the part of the only forum in the world that censors the word apple.

Vellich0rSep 1, 201512 votes

Fun fact, the forbidden fruit was never actually said to be an apple, many biblical scholars believe it was much more likely to be a pomegranate or other similar fruit.

DrCyanideSep 1, 20152 votes

Yeah, that company's a swear word around my house too.

RiotKeyruSep 1, 201518 votes

{quoted}

Apple Can't be having that forbidden fruit mentioned anywhere around MY GD.

God dang it...I forgot to add this to the list... Teemo

Busty DemonessAug 31, 201525 votes

Starting with some of the more obvious ones that should be in the list...

nigger faggot cunt

Having a hard time thinking up more but I'll add as I think of them.

Also, I think Riot should add an option somewhere to allow us to enable/disable the filter.

RockmanAug 31, 20152 votes

[{quoted}](name=Busty Demoness,realm=NA,application-id=bzRrPGQO,discussion-id=RM2Ehrh6,comment-id=0007,timestamp=2015-08-31T23:17:02.543+0000)

Starting with some of the more obvious ones that should be in the list...

Having a hard time thinking up more but I'll add as I think of them.

I could be wrong but I'm 99% sure the mods are still going to delete your post.

Demonsolder21Aug 31, 201514 votes

"For the purpose of this discussion, moderators will not be punishing the use of inappropriate language so long as words are 1)** simply listed**, and 2) not used maliciously. If used inappropriately, we will take immediate and appropriate action. Thanks for participating!"

How Do You MetaAug 31, 201516 votes

I think it can be useful to filter out scam/phishing sites, and swears can be allowed as they were in the past, except the really bad ones.

I also think you guys are misreading her post, she is saying that she is willing to work on the list of filtered words, not that it is going to be a new rule now where you can't swear at all, it was just that the old filter didn't allow any swear words and she is now able to change the list. Keyru is being as transparent as she can and is still willing to listen to us.

OuroboroAug 31, 201514 votes

I believe context is more important than just straight up censoring words, any word can become offensive or non-offensive according to its context. Do we have a problem with excessive swearing or something? Universal Rules do say it's all right to drop an "F bomb" in good context.

Busty DemonessAug 31, 20156 votes

{quoted}

I believe context is more important than just straight up censoring words, any word can become offensive or non-offensive according to its context. Do we have a problem with excessive swearing or something? Universal Rules do say it's all right to drop an "F bomb" in good context.

I think we should only focus on censoring the words that have little to no positive/neutral context, such as the ones in my first reply.

Demonsolder21Aug 31, 20154 votes

I agree with you. Makes sense we should censor the words that are used to insult other players.

StarlighteAug 31, 20153 votes

{quoted}

I believe context is more important than just straight up censoring words, any word can become offensive or non-offensive according to its context. Do we have a problem with excessive swearing or something? Universal Rules do say it's all right to drop an "F bomb" in good context.

I think this is an important point to emphasize. Filters are not as effective as having moderators who are simply well-trained to read a thread and understand the context. Keyru, you've mentioned the filter being turned off is non-negotiable, but I don't really think this is being player-focused by setting up a discussion to fail unless the community is already willing to give in on one particular point : /

FaRmErXAug 31, 201512 votes

peope who swear betray their own lack of vocabulary

TeemoJenkinsAug 31, 201548 votes

{quoted}

peope who swear betray their own lack of vocabulary

People who make grammatical and spelling errors while insulting others expose their incapacity to effectively insult people.

DeusVultSep 1, 20152 votes

Insert reference to Trump twitter rampages

disregardableAug 31, 201551 votes

Tell that to Shakespeare...

Rew711Sep 1, 201511 votes

"Thou art shut the •••• up and use benign etymon to our equal pursuivants."

5000000000000000Sep 1, 20153 votes

-Totally from Hamlet or some ••••

LanayurianSep 1, 20154 votes

https://thefishthatclimbedatree.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/classic.gif?w=300&h=219 Good quote.

DariusDemiurgeAug 31, 201510 votes

Only the most heinous of words should be blocked. Racist terms.

I'd list them but in your and Riot's incompetence I'd likely be banned for trying to assist.

Nigger Spic Honky Honkey Cracker Cracka Sand nigger Gook Chink Nigga

Okay I am getting lazy and have irl stuff to do but basically https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs

Curse words should not be blocked.

Demonsolder21Aug 31, 20155 votes

There is nothing wrong with listing them bro.

Maximum ViktorSep 1, 20154 votes

{quoted} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs

Curse words should not be blocked.

Apple is an ethnic slur.

WookieCookie was right all along.

TouchpadExpertAug 31, 201510 votes

I'm cool with the following words: Shit Fuck Bitch Asshole Prick Wanker Loli Weeb Apple

These words are more of a "stock insult" that expresses that the insulter doesn't like the insulted person. These words aren't serious in the grand scheme of things. And apple shouldn't offend anyone.

I think that the following words be censored: Nigger Chink Spick

The reason I want these words censored is because they are all derogatory and are never used with good intentions. These words are associated with a history of prejudice and hate and their presence on the boards is not needed or wanted.

Words to be considered: Honky Queer Tranny Homo Faggot Cunt Slut Whore

I'm white and the word Honky doesn't offend me. It should but the way I see it honky doesn't have slavery or segregation associated with it. The history isn't there to warrant it to be censored like the other 3 racial slurs I listed. Queer, tranny, homo and faggot are all associated with the homosexual community. Hate crimes happened because of these words, but the homosexual community likes to reclaim words. Some of these words are used in rally cries to express pride in their homosexuality. I would like to censor it when used in a hateful manner but I don't want to take it away from anyone who takes pride in their sexuality. The last three words are derogatory to women. Especially the first one, cunt. The other two can be used against men but alot of the time when used on GD it tends to fall into the "stock insult" category I mentioned earlier.

Dr PoroSep 1, 20151 votes

Why should homos be able to call themselves homo but niggers can't call other niggers their niggers?

TouchpadExpertSep 1, 20153 votes

[{quoted}](name=Dr Poro,realm=EUW,application-id=bzRrPGQO,discussion-id=RM2Ehrh6,comment-id=00180000,timestamp=2015-09-01T00:28:05.337+0000)

Why should homos be able to call themselves homo but niggers can't call other niggers their niggers?

Because the homosexual community has reclaimed these words and changed their meanings to be positive rather than negative. They fought very hard to overcome the prejudice behind these words and I don't want to rob them of their sense of pride, community and identity by censoring their words that they worked so hard to reclaim. The word nigger on the other hand still brings up bad blood. Whole lives were lost because of this word and not in the terms of death even though that is a major part of it. I am talking about how people were born into a life of slavery because of this word and this word dictated what opportunities were open to them. Imagine how many of these lost lives might have become the next Einstein or Shakespeare? Many generations were mutilated because of this word, there is nothing good about that. There was no reclamation movement behind this word and it is still used today to condemn and convey blind hatred.

Penta PenguinSep 1, 20152 votes

Are you F'ing dense? No reclamation? Pull your head out of the kool-aid bowl and turn on whatever popular rap / hip-hop radio station, or get off the internet and go talk to some regular people, you might see otherwise.

Geez I am all for making this community as non-toxic as possible but people like you make it terrible for anyone to have a real discussion about it. Stop thinking about 250 years ago and start thinking about today and tomorrow.

I bet you also think every white person in this country was descended from american colonialists

IcyPepperSep 3, 20152 votes

Pull your head out of the kool-aid bowl

Bruh.

Not kool.

Penta PenguinSep 1, 201510 votes

words to ban

gg
ez
ezreal
noob
newb

RockmanAug 31, 20159 votes

Actually the most heinous word of all needs to get censored. A word so terrible, rune pages can't be named after it.

Pedal.

Ser SafirAug 31, 20158 votes

I don't like to be told "no"

Let's ban that word.

ModThe DjinnSep 1, 20158 votes

I'd personally like to see the following added:

retard retarded

While there are valid uses for those words ("his progress was retarded by his limp") they're extremely uncommon in regular conversation, and "retarded" has become an easy and offensive insult commonly thrown around by online communities. If we want to call something dumb we've got a number of other words to do so with without having to resort to one used derogatorily towards a subset of individuals.

Demonsolder21Aug 31, 20156 votes

I dont understand as long as it doesnt take away from the discussion whats the problem??

I mean I assume that most of us here are all adults right?

RiotKeyruSep 1, 20156 votes

The original post has been updated with a list of future filtered words.

Demonsolder21Sep 1, 20152 votes

Wow thanks for actually listening to us.

Furi KuriSep 1, 20154 votes

Mostly the common racist, and homophobic words should be censored. I do dislike seeing the word "fuck" in thread titles, inside the thread it bugs me less.

SerevasSep 1, 20154 votes

Okay, I grew up in a pretty rural town with a lot of old school racism so here goes the list of other things I've heard that you don't have listed yet.

Spooks Spear Chuckers Jungle Bunnies Chinks Zipperheads Slants Slopes Wetbacks Cotton-Pickers Velcro Heads Porch Monkeys Jigaboos Bootlip Camel Jockey Coon Dago Dothead Guido Guinea Kike Kraut Moon Cricket Niglet Nig-nog Nig Prairie Nigger Rag Head Redskin Shylock Squinty Wigger Wop

I know some of those you can't get rid of and would be up to us to report if used, but there's the rest of what I can think of that I've heard.

Old Man TeetoSep 1, 20153 votes

Doesn't

nigger

cover

sand nigger

I'm somewhat confused.

JawAndDoughSep 1, 20152 votes

... you are really censoring chong? How the hell am I supposed to talk about Cheek and Chong now?

AMYS GRAVESep 1, 20153 votes

Its Cheech and Chong. lol Cheek and Chong.

JawAndDoughSep 1, 20152 votes

FML. Best typing NA. I'm leavin it.

BakedLotionAug 31, 20151 votes

so like im gonna test some of these words...ok they arent censored

Busty DemonessAug 31, 20156 votes

{quoted}

so like im gonna test some of these words... fuck bitch faggot gay dick pussy ass

Except for faggot, I don't see huge reason for any of those to be on the list (since most can otherwise be used in non-offensive context).

Fuck... that was a crazy play! I have a gay friend. My name is Dick. Short for Richard. Why play Khajit? Who wants to play like a pussy? So this ass cut me off on the freeway. I almost hit the donkey and the guy riding him.

Bitch is harder to use non-offensively, but it's one I'm sure most people can deal with.

RockmanAug 31, 20154 votes

[{quoted}](name=Busty Demoness,realm=NA,application-id=bzRrPGQO,discussion-id=RM2Ehrh6,comment-id=00060000,timestamp=2015-08-31T23:21:32.774+0000)

Bitch is harder to use non-offensively, but it's one I'm sure most people can deal with.

"Bitching!" -Some kid from a by-gone era.

redniwediSAug 31, 20153 votes

Bitching is also a synonym for complaining. It's a bit more rude of course, but because of it's rudeness it carries a different emotional weight that may be more applicable to the conversation at hand.

Renaito YuujouAug 31, 20151 votes

Am I the only one who thinks it's hilarious that old GD was closed and we were all moved over to the Boards and the Boards have been broken for nearly a year?

Funny stuff.

Censor "weeb" please.

VreivaiSep 1, 20154 votes

[{quoted}](name=Renaito Yuujou,realm=NA,application-id=bzRrPGQO,discussion-id=RM2Ehrh6,comment-id=0019,timestamp=2015-08-31T23:55:32.617+0000)

Censor "weeb" please.

Considering that you already get banned for calling someone a weeb/weeaboo, should definitely be one of the words added.

In my opinion, if it's a word that's used exclusively to insult people, go ahead and censor that (though please come up with something other than "%%%%." When I first saw that today I thought someone was censoring themselves for a joke.). I think other curse words that aren't necessarily used to insult, such as fuck and shit, should remain uncensored.

BRAVEYpl0xSep 1, 20151 votes

What are this community's feelings on the words "retard" and "retarded". It's clear that we oppose racist/homophobic slurs across the board. The reason we oppose such language is because those slurs are used to dehumanize and marginalize groups of people. The word "retard" is used in exactly the same way: it dehumanizes people with developmental and cognitive illnesses (eg. autism spectrum disorders, Downs syndrome)

Photos of GhostsSep 1, 20154 votes

Uhhhhhm autism in itself is totally opposed to a cognitive illness or mental retardation. It's just that some autistics happen to be retarded just like some neurotypicals happen to be retarded.