Siri’s Chinese searches help guide users to prostitution

Apple is taking heat after some Web users complained they received far too hot a response from Siri - the voice-activated iPhone assistant - when they asked for listings for houses of ill repute.

iPhone users in China, who only recently got the talking service in Putonghua, said when they ask Siri where they could find a prostitution service, it listed several entertainment venues and massage parlors. It has been a hot topic on Sina Weibo for the past week and results seem to vary by location.

Miao Yunping, lawyer from the Beijing Huijia Law Office, told the Global Times that service should be banned due to its pornographic nature. "It's like offering information about where to find a killer. iPhone users have the legal right to ask Apple to block keywords of vile obscenity from in Siri."

Siri seems not to respond well to obscene language, but the English version of the service will interpret "brothel" for escort service, however it is unable to provide any listings.

A Beijing office worker surnamed Zhang told the Global Times that she was shocked when she heard that Siri provided such a service. "Prostitution is illegal in China and Siri seems to be aiding and abetting this illegal activity."

Sina Weibo user "Bill_YK" from Jiangsu Province wrote Saturday that Siri listed 12 establishments with names and addresses when he asked for locations of brothels. He suggested police could use Siri to crack down on prostitution.

"Those words should be blocked and Apple is responsible since it provided direct links to KTV venues or nightclubs," Xiang Ligang, an IT analyst at cctime.com told the Global Times.

The police in Shanghai said they will investigate, adding that an Apple customer service representative admitted the information Siri provided could be harmful, but there is currently not a setting blocking some keywords. Siri can either be turned off or parents can set a password to prevent their children from using it.

Attempts by Global Times to contact Apple Sunday were not fruitful.