Grammarly's Expert Review Feature Raises Privacy Questions

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Many of us rely on AI-powered writing tools like Grammarly for efficiency and accuracy in our daily communications. But what if these tools are using personal identities—including those of individuals who are deceased or unaware—to power their 'expert' features? A recent report highlights significant privacy and ethical concerns surrounding Grammarly's 'expert review' feature.

The Quick Take

• Grammarly's 'expert review' feature offers writing advice 'inspired by' subject matter experts.
• Reports indicate that some identified 'experts' include recently deceased professors and individuals who were unaware their identities were being used.
• The alleged lack of explicit consent raises serious ethical and privacy questions about data sourcing for AI features.
• This feature aims to provide users with seemingly personalized, expert-backed writing feedback.

What's Happening

Grammarly, a popular writing assistance tool, is facing scrutiny over its 'expert review' feature. This particular offering suggests writing improvements to users, claiming to be 'inspired by' subject matter experts. However, a report by Wired, and subsequent personal investigations, have brought to light a concerning aspect: the identities of some of these referenced 'experts' appear to be used without their explicit permission or knowledge.

Specifically, it's been reported that the list of experts includes professors who are recently deceased. Others who are alive and active in their fields have expressed surprise at finding their names and professional personas associated with the feature, implying a lack of prior consultation or consent. This practice raises immediate questions about how Grammarly sources its 'inspiration' and whether it respects individual rights to their identity and intellectual contributions.

Why It Matters

For everyday users, this issue goes straight to the core of trust in our digital tools, especially those integrated deeply into our workflow like writing assistants. If a widely used service like Grammarly is reportedly using personal identities without consent for a public-facing feature, it naturally leads to questions about data privacy and how our own information might be handled. It blurs the lines between AI-generated content and genuine human expertise, creating an unsettling precedent for how digital identities are leveraged.

Moreover, this situation highlights critical ethical considerations in the burgeoning field of AI development. The ethical sourcing of data and the respectful use of personal information are paramount for maintaining user confidence and ensuring responsible technological advancement. When users are presented with 'expert' advice attributed to individuals who haven't consented—or can no longer consent—it not only undermines the credibility of the advice itself but also erodes the ethical foundation upon which these services are built. It serves as a vital reminder for users to be vigilant about the data practices of the tools they employ daily.

What You Can Do

1. Review Your Privacy Settings: Take time to go through Grammarly's privacy and data usage settings within your account to understand what data is being collected and how it's used.
2. Be Skeptical of AI Attribution: When AI tools attribute advice or content to specific individuals, question the source and verify if possible. Understand that 'inspired by' doesn't always mean direct endorsement or consent.
3. Evaluate 'Expert' Features Critically: If you rely on features that promise 'expert' insights, consider how those experts are identified and whether their involvement is genuinely authenticated.
4. Consider Alternatives: If privacy concerns are paramount, research and explore alternative writing assistance tools that have transparent data privacy policies and clear consent mechanisms.
5. Provide Feedback: If you are a Grammarly user and these concerns resonate with you, consider submitting feedback to the company directly to express your views.

Common Questions

Q: What is Grammarly's 'expert review' feature?

A: It's a feature designed to offer users writing advice and suggestions, claiming to be 'inspired by' the work and insights of various subject matter experts.

Q: How is Grammarly allegedly using identities without permission?

A: Reports suggest that the feature references real individuals, including some who are deceased and others who were unaware or did not consent to their identities being associated with the feature.

Q: Does this issue affect all Grammarly users?

A: The 'expert review' feature is specific, but the underlying concerns about data sourcing, consent, and ethical AI practices are relevant to all users of AI-powered tools who value privacy and transparency.

Sources

Based on content from The Verge Tech.