Just Let Me Select Text Author: Artyom Bologov Description: Text is a universal medium, yet many user interfaces (UIs) prevent users from using it properly. This piece advocates for allowing text selection and copy. --- The Problem: Non-selectable Text in UIs Some applications, like the Bumble dating app, disable text selection to prevent copying. This makes it difficult to engage with content meaningfully, for example: Translating a bio written in a foreign language. Accessing text easily for reference or understanding. Example: The author describes encountering a beautiful German woman’s Bumble profile written in German. Because text selection is disabled, copying and translating her poetic bio requires cumbersome workarounds like screenshots followed by OCR. This discourages deeper engagement and often leads the author to simply swipe left. --- Consequences of Non-selectable Text When text is made non-selectable, it essentially becomes an image or a media object. Unlike images or video, text: Is copyable Is translatable Is accessible (important for accessibility/a11y) Is lightweight Forms the core medium for sharing clear information Media fragments to target pieces of media do not work effectively for non-text content. Multimedia such as podcasts, videos, and graphics often lack the manipulability or clarity that text provides. For web graphics like <canvas>, lack of direct text means opaque content and loss of information. --- Why Text Matters in UI Text conveys meaning clearly. It provides unambiguous instructions. Eradicating selectability compromises comprehension and usability. --- Call to Action: Stop Disabling Text Selection Disabling text selection/copy is described as a "crime against the user." It harms: Comprehension Accessibility Meaning of content The plea is simple: Allow users to use text normally. --- Feedback Invitation Readers are encouraged to send feedback via email at select-text@aartaka.me with a simple form on the page. --- Additional Notes The site supports accessibility and clean web practices. The page is designed to last and is generated using the GNU ed text editor. Alternative formats for the content are available by altering the page URL extension. --- Summary: Artyom Bologov’s "Just Let Me Select Text" is a concise essay making the case for accessible, selectable text in UIs. By disabling copy, many applications reduce text to images, stripping away critical usability and accessibility features. The article encourages developers and content creators to embrace text’s inherent strengths and let users interact freely with it.