Class Action Alleges Grammarly Misappropriated Journalists’ Names
Grammarly’s recent introduction of the “Expert Review” feature has sparked controversy. This AI text editing tool used the names of well-known journalists and authors without their consent. Notably, the feature was inspired by figures like investigative journalist Julia Angwin and Gizmodo’s Raymond Wong.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Grammarly
On Wednesday, a class-action lawsuit was initiated against Grammarly. The suit alleges that the company misappropriated the identities of numerous authors and editors for profit. The lawsuit specifically cites California Civil Code § 3344(a)(1), which protects individuals from unauthorized use of their likeness in commercial contexts.
Details of the Lawsuit
- Named Plaintiff: Julia Angwin
- Notable Figures Mentioned: Stephen King, Raymond Wong
- Amount in Controversy: Exceeds $5 million
The lawsuit highlights concerns over how Grammarly’s AI feature deviated from users’ expectations. Angwin remarked that the feature did not enhance writing but instead hindered it, describing her surprise at its poor performance.
Grammarly’s Response
In light of the backlash, Grammarly temporarily suspended the “Expert Review” feature. CEO Shishir Mehrotra acknowledged the situation in a LinkedIn post. He stated the goal was to foster connections between users and influential thought leaders in the writing community. However, he conceded that the implementation fell short of this objective.
Gizmodo has reached out to Grammarly for further comment regarding the lawsuit. The company’s response is awaited as it navigates these legal challenges.
