Microsoft Scrubs Font of Swastika Symbols

Feb. 17 -- Microsoft is facing some questions about political correctness and fonts this week following the release of a critical Windows update that also happens to include a previously released font removal tool.

At issue is Microsoft's decision to remove two swastikas and the Star of David from its Bookshelf Symbol 7 font. Microsoft officials characterized the presence of the swastikas as "an unintentional oversight." The company has confirmed that some users became upset at the presence of the swastikas.

The Bookshelf Symbol 7 font removal tool is available online and is part of a critical update to Windows which went out this week. The explanation for posting the tool says "this font has been found to contain unacceptable symbols." The removal tool specifically removes the Bssym7.ttf font that is included in Microsoft Office 2003.

Microsoft also released an open letter explaining its decision to release the font removal tool, which says the impetus was the presence of "two swastikas" within the font set, and implies that some users had become upset. The statement came last Thursday from senior vice president of Microsoft Office, Steven Sinofsky, and the text is as follows:

"Microsoft has learned of a mistake in the Bookshelf Symbol 7 font included in the Microsoft Office System client applications. Due to an unintentional oversight, we failed to identify, prior to the release, the presence of two swastikas within the font. We apologize for this and for any offense caused. Microsoft is taking immediate measures to remedy the issue for all customers.

Related Stories

SCOTUS appears divided on Jan. 6 charges case

• Apr 16, 12:59 PM

Kansas women ID'd as 2 dead bodies in Oklahoma

• Apr 16, 7:46 PM

OJ Simpson dies at 76

• Apr 11, 6:32 PM

Microsoft has released a utility today for worldwide download that removes the font. Again, we apologize to those who have been offended or upset. We continue to work to improve our processes in order to prevent this type of error in the future."

Suffering Symbols

PC Magazine staffers ran a standard "diff" check on the Bookshelf Symbol 7 font pack, using Microsoft Word, before and after installing the update from Microsoft and found that in addition to the removal of the swastikas from the font set, the Star of David had also been removed.