Julia Angwin files class-action lawsuit alleging the writing tool violated privacy rights by using real people's likenesses in its AI-powered expert review feature.
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Journalist Julia Angwin filed a class-action lawsuit against Grammarly on Wednesday, alleging the company used her identity without permission in its AI-powered "Expert Review" feature. The complaint claims Grammarly violated privacy and publicity rights by using real people's names and likenesses for commercial purposes without consent. Angwin discovered the unauthorized use through Casey Newton, another journalist whose identity was similarly appropriated.
For months, Grammarly has been incorporating the identities of real writers and experts into its AI suggestions feature, which provides writing feedback supposedly from recognized professionals. The feature presents AI-generated advice while using the names and credentials of actual journalists, writers, and other experts to lend credibility to the suggestions. This practice has raised significant questions about digital identity rights in the age of AI-powered services.
The lawsuit targets what appears to be a widespread practice affecting multiple journalists and writers whose identities were used without authorization. Grammarly's Expert Review feature leverages these real identities to make its AI suggestions appear more authoritative and trustworthy to users. The exact number of individuals affected remains unclear, but reports suggest the practice extends beyond the named plaintiffs.
The case could set important precedent for how AI companies use real people's identities in their products and services. If successful, the lawsuit might force Grammarly to obtain explicit consent before using anyone's likeness in its AI features and potentially pay damages to affected individuals. The outcome could influence broader industry practices around identity usage in AI-powered tools and establish clearer boundaries for commercial use of personal likeness in digital products.