Google Apologizes Over Home Devices That Blurt Out N-Word, Issues Update

Uh-oh. Google Home recently made headlines for its voice-assisted smart speakers, but not for how helpful they were. Instead, as first reported by TikTok user @ohgustie, it seems the devices were speaking the N-word aloud, despite it being censored in previous software versions. 

She demonstrated the slip-up by asking her Home Mini speaker to play Ni**as in Paris by Jay-Z and Kanye West, with the gadget undoubtedly caught on tape saying the full word.

However, it still censored “s**t” and “f**kin’” when these swear words were found in other song titles. 

Gizmodo reached out to Google on the matter, and while the company did not directly address why the error had occurred, a spokesperson issued an apology and confirmed the company has since released an update to fix the issue. 

The spokesperson said the firm was “deeply sorry for the pain” caused by the misuse of the word, and that it has taken action to implement “an immediate update” to continue providing users with an experience that’s “inclusive and safe.”

[via CNET and Gizmodo, cover image via Colin Man King Hui | Dreamstime.com]