Google Apologizes for Racial Slur in Notification

The tech giant says it was a "mistake" after a user received an offensive alert on their phone.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Google has issued an apology after one of its users received a notification that included a racial slur. A screenshot of the notification was shared on Instagram, showing a reference to the n-word in a headline about a racial slur incident at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. The user who received the notification, Lydia René, said she "couldn't believe it" and "thought [she] was seeing things." Google acknowledged the "mistake" and said it has removed the offensive notification and is working to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Why it matters

The incident sparked debate on social media, with some accusing the person who used the racial slur at the BAFTA awards of racism, while others pointed to the condition of coprolalia, which can cause people with Tourette's syndrome to spontaneously utter inappropriate language. The BBC, which broadcast the BAFTAs, also issued an apology for not editing out the racial slur from its coverage.

The details

According to the report, the screenshot of the notification was posted on Instagram by artist/activist Malynda Hale, who said it was from her friend Lydia René, a musician. The notification was about an article from The Hollywood Reporter relating to the racial slur incident at the BAFTA awards, and it included a reference to the n-word below the headline. René said she "couldn't believe it" and "thought [her] eyes were deceiving [her]." Hale said she was "shocked" that companies like Google were "still allowing things like this to slip through the cracks."

  • The notification was received by Lydia René on Monday, February 24, 2026 at 11:14 a.m. PT.

The players

Lydia René

A musician who received the offensive notification from Google on her phone.

Malynda Hale

An artist and activist who shared the screenshot of the notification on Instagram.

Google

The tech company that issued the notification containing the racial slur and later apologized for the "mistake."

John Davidson

A Tourette's campaigner who shouted the n-word during an award presentation at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, sparking debate about whether it was an instance of racism or a symptom of his condition.

BBC

The broadcaster that aired the BAFTA awards and issued an apology for not editing out the racial slur from its coverage.

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What’s next

Google has stated that it is working to prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges tech companies face in moderating content and preventing the spread of offensive and harmful language, even as they strive to provide timely and relevant information to users.