Grammarly has taken down an AI feature that offered writing guidance “inspired by” prominent authors and journalists after a backlash and a class-action lawsuit alleging misappropriation of their identities. The suit, led by investigative journalist Julia Angwin in the Southern District of New York, claims the product falsely attributed advice to named experts without consent and seeks damages exceeding $5 million. CEO Shishir Mehrotra apologized and said the Expert Review tool had limited use and would be redesigned, while arguing the legal claims are without merit. The dispute underscores growing legal and reputational risks for AI companies that mimic public figures’ voices and styles, as critics push for clearer consent standards and guardrails around commercialization of personas.
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