Microsofts Font Foibles

Microsofts Font Foibles

Feb 13, 2004
1 minute read
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Microsoft Corp. 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 Microsofts 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.

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