Siri, the personal digital assistant created for the iPhone 4S, has raised some controversy over its inability to locate abortion clinics. The voice interface can locate drugstores and bars, but remained clueless over abortion care and certain types of contraceptives. Siri can answer some more specific requests, such as directions to Planned Parenthood. The American Civil Liberties Union launched an online petition to correct this oversight.
“Although it isn’t clear that Apple is intentionally trying to promote an anti-choice agenda, it is distressing that Siri can point you to Viagra, but not the Pill, or help you find an escort, but not an abortion clinic,” the group wrote in a blog post Wednesday. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Harrison said that the omission was not intentional, and that Siri was still in beta.
