I have developed a Chrome extension called PureWord which filters profanity and offensive language in real time. It replaces such terms with neutral, user-defined alternatives.
The aim is to let users shape a respectful browsing experience, whether for work, family, or general use, without enforcing censorship.
The extension operates entirely in the browser, employs fast adblock-style filtering, includes whitelist/blacklist controls and supports dark mode. It is built to be lightweight and efficient.
I would appreciate feedback on the following. I am considering options like community-maintained word lists and context-based profiles (e.g. home vs work).
Would these be useful, or would you suggest a different direction?
Your insights would help me understand user interests and guide future improvements.
Thank you.
Even traditionally professional spaces, such as news outlets and heads of state, now use language unfit for civil discourse. This tool enables continued internet use without compromising the quality of the experience.
Only the weak would agree with a statement like "perhaps the internet is not for you".
I'm not of that breed. I intend to stamp my brand on the internet, just like those who use such language, even if I end up being the only PureWord user.
I’d be more than a bit uncomfortable with using someone else’s ideas of what’s profane, but I’d also be a bit uncomfortable with the idea that there’s people browsing the same internet as me but looking through entirely different bias-conforming echo-chamber-reinforcing sunglasses.
Just not sure how you give anyone the ability to filter out what offends them without also giving them the power to filter in what should offend them, but doesn’t.
The tool is not intended for broader purposes, such as politically sensitive language, as mentioned in your example. That may be a concept for a future tool or an expansion pack.
It does not alter the meaning of a sentence; it merely makes it more civil. Users can still hover over the replaced word to view the original.
It is like watching a movie with the bad words bleeped out... you would still know what was said but even if you did not, the meaning of the scene is not lost.
Sure, I can see convincing oneself that there’s nobility in empowering people to pretend “bad” words don’t exist on the internet, but it seems you’re still empowering people to pretend arbitrary “good” words they don’t like don’t exist either, by replacing them with arbitrary “good” words they do like.
Sure, they’ll still be able to mouse over to discover they’re just pretending their personal version of civility has been roughly plastered over their personal version of incivility, I’m just not sure there’s an overall social benefit to that.
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power ..." -- 2 Timothy 3:1–5