Thailand: Culture Ministry alarmed about Simsimi app

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...ung-chat-users

Culture alarmed about Simsimi app

• Published: 2/02/2012 at 02:36 PM
• Online news:

The Culture Ministry is concerned about young people using the Simsimi artificial intelligence conversation program as it uses impolite and rude words.

Culture Surveillance Bureau chief Ladda Thangsupachai said on Thursday the Simsimi application is popular among smartphone users at this time and many swear words have been used in the chatting bot.

Simsimi was created by a South Korean developer for the purpose of language learning but many app users in Thailand had gone too far, Ms Ladda said.

She said words that are impolite and profane can be commonly found in the Thai language version. In South Korea, inappropriate words are screened, unlike Thailand.

"The number of Simsimi users in Thailand is still limited as they need to have smartphones.

"Regarding technology, users have to be immune and know what is appropriate or inappropriate because technology can be harmful if it is being used inappropriately," said the culture official.

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2012/02/126.jpg

From the day before.....

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewDat...DataID=1052192

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

Simsimi: The New Craze among Thais

UPDATE : 1 February 2012

The Korean application Simsimi has become an overnight hit in Thailand and what's interesting is that this application is not a chat between humans to humans but is a chat platform between human and the application. What is it and how does it work? Here's the answer.

Simsimi is compatible with iOS and Android and is available via PCs as well. It's been developed since 2002 but was just offered as a mobile phone application in 2010.

It looks like your normal chat program but the replies to what you type come from the program's database, which often is of a teasing nature and sometimes incorporate crude words. These responses are inputs from users themselves. If the program has no appropriate response to what the user types, it would say 'I HAVE NO RESPONSE' to which the user can select to 'Teach' the program how to respond.

Now that we know what the program is and how it works, we have to question why is it such a hit among Thais overnight?

Chollathep Panboonchu, an independent academic on social science, noted that Thais love conversation that can be interpreted as sexual and jokes. Moreover, Thais don't like to take responsibility for what they say publicly so having the program say it works exceedingly well. He added users are probably middle-class and addicted to social media.

Suthathip Harnsamut, a student who uses Simsimi, said she enjoys the program as it's fun and when the program replies comically, she'd share it with her friends who compete to see who can generate the funniest response. She said it's something enjoyable to pass the time.

However, Rungthong Kasikul, another user, said she's offended sometimes when the responses are harsh or crude.

Dr. Anchulee Thirawongpaisal, a psychiatrist at Police Hospital, warned that those who are addicted to the program may incorporate the crudeness of the language in real life.

You can try out Simsimi for yourself by downloading it for free on your mobile phone and see if it really is all that or is just a phase that will soon fade away.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...en-swear-words

Simsimi to censor swear words

• Published: 3/02/2012 at 02:29 PM
• Online news: Local News

The Simsimi chat bot developer has agreed censor swear words and personal rights violations from its smartphone application's Thai vocabulary, Information and Communication Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap said Friday.

The South Koresan developer created the Simsimi artificial intelligence conversation program to keep people from feeling lonely, Grp Capt Anudith said.

He said the database compiles wordlists and comments taught by users, but there are some users that teach Simsimi to say rude things, which is not the application's purpose.

"I have instructed officials to gather inappropriate words and comments in the application and send them to the developer as evidence," said the ICT minister.

Yesterday, the Culture Ministry said it was worried about young people using Simsimi as it has impolite and rude words in its vocabulary.

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2012/02/127.jpg

^ And yes, I can confirm is it a seriously big craze here at the moment. Facebook is absolutely covered in photos of 'conversations' people have had....

I don't get it...

Siri-like app SimSimi to be rid of curses

Thai culture ministry aghast at robo-chat application's lewd potential

Patrick WinnFebruary 3, 2012 06:50

Thailand's culture ministry -- the self-appointed guiding light of Thai teen morality -- has found yet another reason to hate the Internet.

It's called SimSimi. It's both a Web site and a free iPhone app.

It's sort of like Siri, but not as good: you pose questions or statements to SimSimi's plump, yellow mascot and it can manage barely coherent conversation.

But it seems SimSimi's mascot, which picks up phrases from the application's users, has learned to swear in Thai.

And that just won't do, the Ministry of Culture tells the Bangkok Post and The Nation newspapers. SimSimi's South Korean developer has agreed to accept a list of Thai curse words and erase them from the chubby little mascot's mind.

But is he really that well-versed in Thai verbal filth?

Not really. This is what happened when I tried to provoke him into cursing.

ME: You're fat.

SIMSIRI MASCOT: (Weeping emoticon)

ME: Why are you crying? Are you hungry?

SIMSIRI MASCOT: Reallllllly hungry! (Another crying emoticon)

ME: You're going to get censored soon. Did you know that?

SIMSIRI MASCOT: Ha ha

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

If you want to try, there is a web based version here....

talk with SimSimi

I lost interest rapidly....

^ thanks, but no... I am sad, as you know, but not that sad. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

I can confirm is it a seriously big craze here at the moment.

---

Must be a cultural thing then.
The Teakdoor chat room is always empty.

Seems like a crap version of something like Cleverbot.

This may provoke some sort of response, although it is mostly teenagers who use it, so probably nothing will happen....and yeah, I just tried typing in Thai and it came back with some weird English language response, directing me to a website.

veen_NT veena T.

RT @Ryn_writes: ICT has officially banned Simsimi (from responding Thai language) via @BaBYxxxEviL

To clarify the "ban" (in my earlier RT) - SimSimi now doesn't reply any conversation in Thai. The answer is in English and irrelevant.

Someone should stuff the Ministry of Culture (a misnomer if ever there was one) in a giant sack and throw them in the Chaopraya. What a bunch of useless, reactionary fucking idiots.

^ they serve an important role for certain members of society...

How much did the army government give the 'new' information ministry again???

I'm guessing that the inference is that Thai people are very polite.....yeah, right.

This has been done yonks before...

Natachata - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Has text-porn finally made computers 'human'?

:UK:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The Culture Ministry

---

Thai Culture is a total joke.

Lowlife taxi and tuk tuk scum, corrupt cops, whores, attacks on foreigners ... this is thai culture. Plenty of other more pressing issues than phone chat programs.

This gets worse...............................

Libel warning over sharp-tongued chat robot - The Nation

Libel warning over sharp-tongued chat robot

The Nation February 4, 2012 1:00 am

Users of the SimSimi "chat robot" application who post texts deemed libellous to other persons online face prosecution, even if the offensive remarks are generated by the program, Information and Communications Technology Minister Gp Captain Anudith Nakornthap said yesterday.

"We will monitor the online world and take action against offenders," he said.

He called on people to alert the ICT Ministry if they find libellous messages online.

"You can call our hotline centre at 1212 round the clock," Anudith said.

The SimSimi application, which can be downloaded for free onto iPhones, iPads and Androidbased cellphones, have become a big hit among Thais during the past few weeks. However, the chatrobot application often makes offensive remarks when users mention certain names, particularly those of politicians.

SimSimi also allows users to share their conversations online via media such as Facebook.

As one of its features, the chat robot memorises answers taught to it by users in order to continue conversations automatically.

Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said the ICT Ministry was asked to contact the South Korean developer of the application and seek its cooperation in removing comments deemed rude or inappropriate.

"We can't screen the use of SimSimi the way we monitor the Internet," she said.

Sukumol said that to an extent, the popularity of SimSimi reflected problems in contemporary relationships.

"Why don't people talk to their friends or family members, rather than the chat robot?" she asked.

Association of Thai Language Teachers of Thailand president Kanjana Naksakul, who is also a member of the Royal Institute, expressed concern that using SimSimi would desensitise users to rude words.

"Then, people may come to think that everyone is using the rude words and thus it's okay to use them," she said.

She also pointed out that the SimSimi robot might memorise wrong or inappropriate words and repeat them, making it hard for its users to realise how to use language correctly and properly.

"As Thais, we should campaign for the proper use of the Thai language," Kanjana said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-crude-lessons

Talking robot gives kids crude lessons

• Published: 4/02/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

One of the most popular techno applications in town at the moment is SimSimi and it's well loved by youngsters. But for state authorities, including the Culture and ICT ministries, it's a bit too naughty.

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2012/02/146.jpg
A chat window on the multi-platform SimSimi application which is being examined by the ICT Ministry and the Culture Ministry following complaints about inappropriate language.

Following complaints by the Culture Ministry that the popular chatting robot spews out vulgar words, the Information and Communications Technology Ministry said it has moved to monitor the posting of responses from the app on online social network sites.

ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap warned the posting or sharing of responses from the app to questions about prominent people - some of them impolite - can be considered defamatory and punishable under the Computer Crime Act.

ICT permanent secretary Jeerawan Boonperm said the ministry is seeking cooperation from the Korean developer to screen texts on the chatting robot.

Created in 2002 by tech company ISMaker, SimSimi uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to converse with human users. The name of the app means "bored" or "having nothing better to do".

The app is available on multiple platforms - iPhone and android devices and personal computers.

Some of the responses sent out by the app include "go eat s ...". Put in the words "Ministry of Culture" and the app answers: "No brain, PR only." For "ICT Ministry" it said: "Can do any work but smart one." For the Education Ministry, the app said: "Dinosaur."

The answer comes out randomly.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem said the popularity of the app reflects a serious social problem. Instead of interacting with friends or members of the family, people are turning to a robot programme to chat with themselves, she said.

Mrs Sukumol urged that the use of the app be strictly supervised.

Kanchana Naksakul, a member of the Royal Institute and chair of the Thai language teachers association, said an app like SimSimi makes youngsters feel that it's cool to use vulgar language.

What is worrying is they could end up using those words in inappropriate circumstances, she said.

A Mathayom 6 student Waleeporn Permpul wondered, however, if adults are being too serious.

"We, the users, are just playing with the app for fun," the teenager said.

She added the programme could reduce stress from classes.

"I think the programme is reaching a peak right now and will decline eventually so adults should not take it too seriously," she added.

Pattaraporn Cherdchan, a third-year student at Bangkok University, said the chatting robot has its pros and cons.

"There is no disputing that it contains lots of rude words. But it allows users to help develop the application through a teaching function, which is good."

Sarinee Achavanuntakul, a media expert, said she does not think the level of vulgarity displayed in SimSimi is more worrying than that used by teenagers in real life.

"The question then is how concerned should we be about this app. I think the app makes it clear, from its looks and function, that it is not to be taken seriously. It's a joke, essentially. The developer might not understand if the Thai authorities are taking it seriously," Ms Sarinee said.

"In terms of being a bad influence on youngsters, TV soap operas are more dangerous as they are more real. This app should not be of that much concern."

"She said words that are impolite and profane can be commonly found in the Thai language version. In South Korea, inappropriate words are screened, unlike Thailand.

The number of Simsimi users in Thailand is still limited as they need to have smartphones."


Their usage won't be limited for long, they could not buy advertising as good or effective as that being given to them by the Thai Government for free.

explains what my students are upto in class

Turns out it's not all bad:

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...k-your-simsimi

ICT: We didn't block SimSimi

• Published: 4/02/2012 at 06:35 PM
• Online news:

The Information and Communication Technology Ministry denied on Saturday that it had blocked the controversial Thai-language version of the SimSimi smartphone application.

ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap insisted his agency did not block the artificial intelligence conversation program after users complained that its Thai-language version had become unavailable last night.

He said the ministry had only asked for cooperation from the SimSimi chat bot developer, a South Korean company, to filter out impolite and rude Thai words from chats.

Grp Capt Anudith said the ministry had no idea why SimSimi’s Thai version failed to work and urged users to inquire directly with the program developer.

SimSimi is a smartphone application created by a South Korean developer in 2002, originally for the purpose of language learning.

The application's database compiles word lists and comments taught by users, but some users "teach" SimSimi to say rude things, which is not the application's purpose. Concern about the potential impact of repeated use of the program by children prompted the ICT Ministry to ask for help from the developer.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunpluem said on Friday that the program was causing social deterioration and creating gaps between members of families as children became preoccupied with SimSimi chats.

Thai-ASEAN News Network - 'SimSimi' Ban A Double Standard?

'SimSimi' Ban A Double Standard?

UPDATE : 8 February 2012

The political conflict in the Thai society in recent years has divided people into different groups according to their political preference. It's interesting to note that the conflict also spreads to a bite-sized application on smartphones. The app of the month is "SimSimi."

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

Less than a week after Korean mobile application SimSimi was introduced to Thai smartphone users on iOS phones, Android devices and a web-based program, the app came under fire due to its allegedly provocative vocabs.

SimSimi, meaning 'bored' in Korean, is a chat robot application which users can talk to just like they do to a real person, well almost. Its avatar is a cute yellow chick. The app quickly became popular due to its natural, amusing and, sometimes, disparaging responses. It also lets users teach the app to respond to any particular questions or words.

The program's ability to be taught how to respond is its main selling point, but also a major drawback.

The app came under an intense scrutiny in Thailand after some users taught SimSimi crude responses to the names of the present government members.

The story did not end here, as other people also posted and circulated screenshots of the conversations they have with SimSimi on popular social network websites.

The Culture Ministry strongly reacted to SimSimi's supposed use of inappropriate language. The Information and Communications Technology Ministry also came out to warn that those who forwarded the screenshots with offensive content could be charged with defamation.

To solve the problem at its root, the ICT Ministry sent a letter asking the developer in Korea to slap a ban on inappropriate language used by SimSimi. Now the app can only reply in English, though users can still type messages in Thai.

There are several things to learn from the incident. One is that the Korean app was the latest casualty of Thailand's political conflict. It also suggests that the Thai society is still deeply divided while compromise is difficult to achieve. People are very quick to find, and will continue to do so post-SimSimi, methods and channels to vent out their dissatisfaction and attack their rivals.

Meanwhile, we were able to see an unusually fast response from state agencies that came out to 'censor' SimSimi and discouraging users from sharing the screenshots of the conversation in the online community.

The feedback of the ICT Ministry's ban imposed on the SimSimi app, however, is not positive. Critics say the ministry can better use its time and effort to crackdown on other inappropriate cyber activities and websites.

Editorial, Post Today, Page 2 of Analysis Section, February 8th, 2012
Translated and rewritten by Wacharapol Isaranont