Show HN: I built a Chrome extension that filters toxic words in real time
Hello HN.
I have just launched PureWord (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/pureword/hmiminkceb...), a Chrome extension that cleverly filters profanity and offensive language across websites in real time, replacing it with neutral alternatives.
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The Motivation
Most of the web consists of text. Increasingly, that text includes hostile, explicit or otherwise disruptive language. Whether you are reading the news, working in a shared environment or letting your children browse online, the language we encounter often undermines the experience.
PureWord is my attempt to improve that. It is not about censorship, but about control. The aim is to allow users to create a more respectful digital space by giving them a way to filter out unwanted words, based on their own preferences.
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How It Works
PureWord runs entirely in the browser. It uses a streamlined filtering engine, inspired by adblocking technology, to detect and replace unwanted language as web pages load.
+ Filtering is done locally
+ Replacement logic is user-configurable
+ Sites can be whitelisted or blacklisted
+ Dark mode is supported
+ It is designed to be fast, lightweight and unobtrusive
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What Makes It Different
Many content filters are slow, overly aggressive or dependent on external APIs. PureWord differs in several important ways:
+ It is fast. It uses logic adapted from adblockers
+ It is private. No data is ever sent anywhere
+ It is controlled. Users choose what is replaced and how
+ It is future-proof. Upcoming features will include AI-driven filtering and smarter context awareness
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Roadmap
This is an early release. The following features are planned:
+ AI-powered detection of context and tone
+ Suggested replacements that match tone and intent
+ Profiles for different use cases (e.g. work, home, public)
+ Community-driven word lists and filters
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What I Would Appreciate
At this stage, I am looking for constructive feedback. In particular:
+ New or unexpected use cases
+ Scenarios where filtering fails or overreaches
+ Suggestions on integrating AI effectively
+ Your thoughts on whether this tool is useful or desirable
I am happy to answer questions and explain any part of the implementation.
Thank you for reading and for your interest in making the web a more civil place.
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Other Projects
+ Google Sheets Add-on: Flookup Data Wrangler (https://www.getflookup.com)
+ Another Chrome Extension: Commentsy (https://getflookup.github.io/commentsy/)
+ Android Game: Puck Slide (https://getflookup.github.io/puckslide/)