Duolingo apologised after one of its German lessons described J.K. Rowling as mean. The example was later deleted from the app.
The lesson asked if learners liked Harry Potter stories. The provided answer included a personal insult towards the author.
In a statement, Duolingo said it regretted the incident and promised to prevent similar content from appearing in its courses.
The case reignited debate around Rowling’s views on trans rights, which have divided opinion and attracted anger from many public voices.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe distanced himself from Rowling, saying her remarks upset him and affirming his support for LGBTQ people.
Backlash and Related Literary Controversies
Some argued that a language app should avoid political overtones. Producer Gaby Koppel criticised Duolingo publicly for inserting ideology into study material.
Meanwhile, Rowling clashed again with Nicola Sturgeon, posting images of her annotated autobiography online with offensive commentary.
Sturgeon acknowledged Rowling’s right to argue but accused her of using incendiary slogans that worsened public hostility.
Elsewhere, the Polari Prize suspended its 2025 program after protests over the longlisting of novelist John Boyne.
Boyne defended Rowling, promoted gender-critical views, and faced condemnation from LGBTQ advocates who demanded his exclusion from the award.
