I'm suing Grammarly over its paid AI feature that presented editing suggestions as if they came from me - and many other writers and journalists - without consent. I learned on Monday night, from Casey Newton's newsletter, that my name was one of many that were being offered as "expert reviewers" in Grammarly's $12-a-month paid service. Users would see editing 'suggestions' from fake me pop up in their documents. But there is a law for this situation. The right of publicity law in my home state - New York -- very clearly requires consent before someone's name can be used for commercial purposes. So I have joined a class action lawsuit against the company. I'm taking this action on behalf of not just myself, but everyone who spent years and decades refining their skills as a writer and editor, only to find an AI impersonating them. https://lnkd.in/e8M_mh6x
The question is why do they think they can break the law with impunity? Also why do people care so little about the legality of the apps they use? Do not use Grammarly until it stops doing this, there are other options only problem is most of them use the same business model.
This is indeed a problem, and I'm grateful for this post. Perhaps less of an impact, but I'm challenged by those who include my name in articles without my consent. When I'm alerted, I contact the organization, and it's radio silence. These are people and organizations I don't know or support. LinkedIn is a breeding ground for content theft, con artists, and grifters.
Carl Zetie
2w
I cannot imagine what went through the minds of the executives who decided that this was a good idea. Even if it were not illegal, it is breathtakingly unethical. Did nobody in the room raise their hand and say "Actually, I have a bit of a problem with this...". But then, we live in an age where plagiarizing the entirety of the internet is considered a defensible business strategy.
Time to trademark your own name. WOW.
I hope this causes them to take down their AI Grader that heavily implies it can speak on the professor’s behalf, too.
Really disgusted. I’ve been a paid Grammarly customer for a few years and felt naively like it was somewhat in the clear around its ethics but it had me rethinking supporting this company. I have no idea why tech companies have so little respect for authors.
Cases like this highlight why transparency, disclosure, and consent are essential as AI systems incorporate human identities or expertise. Human oversight and clear accountability will be critical safeguards to maintain trust as these technologies become more embedded in professional workflows.
Laurel J.
2w
Wow - how could that feature not be flagged by product managers and product counsel? So obviously out of line!
Tara Moeller
2w
This is why so many in leadership positions have called for AI to remain unregulated. Lobbyists with deep pockets know what these AI platforms are doing, and any regulation would mean they'd have to stop and then compensate the people whose identities they've appropriated.
This is MADNESS. I mean, even setting aside the ethics for a millisecond, how did Superhuman think it could get away with essentially digitally cloning you?!