WHEN the next set of emojis arrives, there’s a specific type that definitely doesn’t show up after the bosses set foot behind the icons.
the Unicode Consortium which all emojis overseas have decided to stop accepting requests for new flags.
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Flags have apparently become too tiresome because they are constantly evolving and adding one “creates exclusivity at the expense of others”.
They’re the largest emoji category with a strong association with identity, but they’re also by far the least used and cause more headaches than necessary.
“If the Emoji Subcommittee approves the addition of a Catalonia flag emoji, then it looks like favoritism unless all other subdivisions of Spain are added,” explained group leader Jennifer Daniel in a blog entry.
“And if those are added, what about the subdivisions of Japan or Namibia or the cantons of Liechtenstein?
“The inclusion of new flags will always emphasize the exclusion of others.”
She pointed to the rainbow flag, one of the most used flag emoji that has been redesigned many times.
“Identities are fluid and unstoppable, making their mapping to a formal, immutable universal character set irreconcilable,” added Daniel.
“We know closing that door can be a disappointment – after all, flags are often used as a watchword to be seen, heard, recognized and understood.”
As different gender flags emerge, the committee suggests adding a pink, light blue, and gray heart to allow people to form identity combinations themselves.
They are slated to launch sometime next year.
However, there is an exception to the ban on new flags.
When a country becomes independent and is recognized by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), a flag representing it is automatically proposed without the need for a proposal.
Unicode also made it clear that it doesn’t decide the appearance of flags. So if a flag changes design for geopolitical reasons, it’s up to the phone makers to update it.
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https://www.thesun.ie/tech/8583392/emoji-ban-flags-unicode-consortium/ Emoji bosses just BANNED “thousands of new symbols” – here’s what’s now banned