Ubuntu has pulled its latest desktop release, 23.10, after discovering that its Ukrainian translations included hate speech.
Ubuntu is the most popular open-source operating system based on the Linux kernel. It is developed and maintained by a global community of developers and is released as free and open-source software.
According to the Ubuntu project, a malicious contributor added homophobic, antisemitic, and xenophobic slurs to the distribution via a third party that exists outside of the Ubuntu Archive, Bleeping Computer reports.
In a tweet, Ubuntu notes that it discovered the hate speech in some of its translations and has taken the release down. A new version will be available once the translations are restored.
“Please keep in mind that translations are data files that support internationalization of applications. These files are updated with the support of third-party online systems with contributions from individuals all around the world that then get integrated into Ubuntu,” the company notes in an official announcement about the incident on its website. “It’s unfortunate when that path of collaboration is undermined and used as a mechanism of social aggression. Canonical and Ubuntu do not condone hate speech or offensive language of any kind, as per our code of conduct.”
Users have since raised concerns that if the translations were able to get past Ubuntu's review team, then perhaps the team is not thoroughly reviewing non-English versions of it software. That raises concerns not only about something similar happening again, but also that malware could potentially be added to the software by nefarious actors in the future.
For the time being, Ubuntu is encouraging users to download Ubuntu Desktop 23.10 using the Legacy installer ISO that remains unaffected by the incident.
