Android's 'N-Word' Poll Sparks Online Jeers

By Reuters | Updated: 19 May 2016 17:45 IST

Google's Android ran afoul of social media users on Wednesday after encouraging people to nominate a word starting with the letter "N" for the latest version of its mobile operating platform.

An Android website asked for submissions for "any tasty ideas that start with the letter N" for its new "Android N" operating platform, which was unveiled at its Google I/O developers conference on Wednesday.

(Also see: Google I/O 2016 Highlights)

The backlash ranged from gentle ribbing to invocations of the term "the n-word," which is frequently used as a stand-in for an offensive racial slur.

"Google please do not ask the internet to send you n-words," tweeted Jon Hendren (@fart) a so-called "DevOps thought leader."

A representative for Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc, declined to comment.

(Also see: Google I/O 2016: Android Auto, Android TV, and Other Announcements)

"Android Nope #NameAndroidN," tweeted Schrodinger Cait (@stimpyjaycat).

"I think it's obvious how #nameandroidn can go terribly wrong lol," tweeted Tom (@skullisnull).

Gizmodo reported on Wednesday that the online anonymous message board 4chan was flooding the Android's name submission site with suggestions akin to an offensive epithet for black people.

Some social media users suggested "nachos," "Nutella" and "nectarine."

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.