Grammarly may be best known for fixing comma splices, but now the editing program is facing a lawsuit over borrowing journalists’ names without asking first.
A class-action lawsuit alleges that Grammarly’s AI-powered “Expert Review” feature used the names of hundreds of journalists, authors and editors as stylistic “inspirations” for writing feedback — without consulting the people whose names were attached to the advice, according to Wired magazine.
Among those named in the suit is investigative journalist Julia Angwin, currently the lone named plaintiff, though the filing also references other literary figures cited by the feature, including Stephen King. According to the complaint, the feature “misappropriated” the identities of writers to help promote Grammarly’s product and boost profits for the company and its owner, Superhuman.
Under California law, using someone’s name or likeness to sell a product without consent can be a problem — an expensive one. The suit doesn’t specify damages but says the amount in dispute exceeds $5 million.
The feature didn’t last long. Grammarly quietly pulled “Expert Review” last week after reports surfaced that the named writers had never agreed to participate.