Story perspectives

Grammarly Halts AI Feature Amid Privacy Class-Action Lawsuit

3/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Grammarly has disabled its 'Expert Review' after backlash and a class-action by Julia Angwin.
The feature used AI to simulate feedback from authors and academics without consent.
Julia Angwin, journalist, filed a class-action alleging privacy rights violations and damages over $5 million.
Grammarly's CEO Shishir Mehrotra acknowledged concerns and promised a redesign to ensure consent.
The incident raises ethical questions about AI identity appropriation for commercial gain and industry standards.

History

Historical Context

The Privacy Act of 1974 emerged from escalating privacy concerns following the Watergate scandal and earlier debates about government surveillance. This landmark legislation established guidelines for federal agencies on handling personal data, reflecting a societal demand for transparency and consent. Julia Angwin's class-action against Grammarly highlights ongoing privacy issues, potentially influencing future regulations on AI and data ethics.

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Story summary

Grammarly has disabled its 'Expert Review' after backlash and a class-action by Julia Angwin.
The feature used AI to simulate feedback from authors and academics without consent.
Julia Angwin, journalist, filed a class-action alleging privacy rights violations and damages over $5 million.
Grammarly's CEO Shishir Mehrotra acknowledged concerns and promised a redesign to ensure consent.
The incident raises ethical questions about AI identity appropriation for commercial gain and industry standards.

1 / 2