Grammarly, the popular writing assistant software, has removed its “Expert Review” feature after a backlash revealed it was exploiting the names and reputations of real journalists, academics, and authors without their permission. The company is now facing a class action lawsuit alleging the unauthorized use of intellectual property for profit.
Feature Exploited Experts
The now-defunct “Expert Review” tool, launched last August, falsely attributed AI-generated writing feedback to real individuals, both living and deceased. Grammarly’s previous marketing material described the feature as drawing on “insights from subject-matter experts and trusted publications,” even allowing users to select specific authors to emulate. The tool’s disclaimer stated it did not imply endorsement by those mentioned, but it still falsely claimed to offer “insights from leading professionals.”
This practice was exposed after Wired reported that Grammarly was offering AI edits under the guise of actual writers. Critics, including Platformer founder Casey Newton and historian Mar Hicks, condemned the move as exploitative and potentially defamatory. The company’s initial response—offering a way to “opt out”—was widely criticized for failing to address how deceased authors were being used.
The Backlash and Legal Action
The controversy escalated as writers realized their identities were being monetized without consent. Researcher Sarah J. Jackson pointed out the absurdity of the situation, joking about suing the company for violating the memories of dead authors like bell hooks. Grammarly CEO Shishir Mehrotra eventually announced the feature would be disabled, promising a redesign that would give experts control over their representation.
However, this apology did little to quell the outrage. Climate writer Ketan Joshi dismissed the move as a disconnect from “normal human society,” while New York Times columnist Dan Saltzstein demanded accountability beyond mere reevaluation. The situation has now moved beyond public criticism, with New York Times writer Julia Angwin filing a class action lawsuit against Grammarly’s parent company, Superhuman.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages and Prevention
The lawsuit, filed in New York District Court, seeks damages and an injunction to prevent Grammarly from using writers’ identities without consent. The firm representing Angwin, Peter Romer-Friedman Law PLLC, is inviting affected writers to join the suit. According to reports, the unauthorized use of identities extended to journalists from The Verge, Wired, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and other major publications.
As Peter Romer-Friedman stated, New York law has long prohibited commercial exploitation of personal names without permission, and no exceptions exist for technology companies or AI.
The incident underscores the ethical challenges of AI development, particularly when it involves leveraging existing intellectual property without proper consent. It raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to respect creative rights and avoid deceptive marketing practices.
