Grammarly Faces Lawsuit Over AI 'Expert Review' Feature

Class action alleges unauthorized use of prominent writers' names and identities

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:10pm

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Grammarly, the popular writing assistant, is facing a class action lawsuit over its discontinued 'Expert Review' feature, which allegedly misused the names and identities of well-known writers and journalists without their consent. The lawsuit, led by investigative journalist Julia Angwin, argues this violated New York's right of publicity law and highlights broader concerns about the ethical and legal implications of AI leveraging individual reputations.

Why it matters

This case isn't just about Grammarly - it's a bellwether for the future of AI-driven personalization and the protection of intellectual property. As AI becomes more sophisticated, the use of AI-generated personas designed to mimic real individuals raises complex questions about privacy, defamation, and the right to control one's own image and voice.

The details

The lawsuit centers around Grammarly's 'Expert Review' tool, which presented editing suggestions as if they originated from well-known figures like Stephen King and Neil deGrasse Tyson. While a disclaimer stated these experts hadn't endorsed the tool, the implication of their direct involvement proved contentious. Angwin, founder of The Markup, discovered her name was being used in this capacity and promptly filed suit, arguing a violation of New York's right of publicity law. The complaint alleges Grammarly and its parent company, Superhuman, misappropriated the names and identities of hundreds of professionals for profit.

  • Grammarly recently discontinued the 'Expert Review' feature.

The players

Julia Angwin

An investigative journalist and the founder of The Markup, who filed the class action lawsuit against Grammarly.

Grammarly

A popular writing assistant company that is facing the class action lawsuit over its 'Expert Review' feature.

Superhuman

The parent company of Grammarly, which is also named in the lawsuit.

Stephen King

A well-known writer whose name was allegedly used without consent in Grammarly's 'Expert Review' feature.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

A prominent scientist and author whose name was allegedly used without consent in Grammarly's 'Expert Review' feature.

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What they’re saying

“This case is legally straightforward, but the broader implications are far-reaching.”

— Peter Romer-Friedman, Attorney for Julia Angwin (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $5 million, reflecting the potential scale of the unauthorized use of intellectual property. Legal experts believe this case could lead to increased regulation, transparency requirements, and consent mechanisms around the use of AI-generated personas.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing concerns around the ethical and legal implications of AI leveraging individual reputations without consent. As AI technology advances, there will be a greater need for clear guidelines and regulations to protect intellectual property and individual privacy.