Grammarly Allegedly ‘Misappropriated’ Names of Journalists, Says Class Action Suit

Grammarly is facing a class-action lawsuit after its 'Expert Review' AI feature was found to utilize the names of journalists and literary figures—including Gizmodo’s Raymond Wong—to provide writing advice without their permission. The suit, filed on Wednesday, claims Grammarly “misappropriated” these identities to profit, citing California Civil Code § 3344(a)(1) regarding the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness for commercial purposes. Investigative journalist Julia Angwin, the named plaintiff, also criticized the feature’s quality, stating it actively worsened writing rather than improving it.

Grammarly CEO Shishir Mehrotra initially apologized for the feature and announced its temporary removal, explaining it was intended to connect users with influential perspectives. However, in a statement to Gizmodo, Mehrotra asserted the legal claims are without merit and stated the company will “strongly defend” against the lawsuit, while also acknowledging the need for a revised approach. The suit seeks damages exceeding $5 million, though a specific amount is not yet demanded.

The 'Expert Review' feature has been taken down for a redesign, and Grammarly maintains it had limited usage during its brief lifespan. The company intends to develop a new version that will benefit both users and experts.

(Source：Gizmodo)