Most software comes with compatibility information: supported browser versions, android and iOS versions it can run on or hardware requirements. As testers we’re used to checking if new releases still fulfill these requirements.
Why is it then that so much software has a crucial compatibility issue? One that forces users to find workarounds such as lying about themselves or deleting their accounts and creating new ones. In the worst case, it prevents them from using the software altogether. All of that happens because software does not respect their gender identity.
In this talk I'll explain why so many testers overlook this problem and how we can improve the situation. I’ll present the most common hurdles gender-diverse people face when using software:
- A lack of gender options, salutations, pronouns
- Personal data that cannot be changed
- Usernames or email addresses as fixed identifiers
- Deriving information from the chosen gender
- Lack of transparency about how data is used
Using census data, I’ll demonstrate that these are not edge cases which can be ignored. You will learn how to fix the problems in ways that benefit everyone. There will also be a brief look at the legal aspect, including rulings by the European Court of Justice.
By the end of the talk, you will understand why everyone involved in building software must be aware of gender diversity, either because they want to support their users or because they want to avoid lawsuits.