Duolingo apologised after a German lesson instructed learners to call J.K. Rowling mean. The company has since erased the phrase.
The exercise asked whether learners like Harry Potter books. The given solution criticised the author rather than focusing only on language.
Duolingo admitted the example was inappropriate, offered regret, and promised to avoid such material in future lessons.
Rowling remains a source of controversy for her comments on trans rights, which have been condemned by celebrities and campaigners.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe said he was saddened by her views and emphasised unwavering support for LGBTQ people.
Cultural Fallout and Literary Disputes
Some students objected to the sentence. Producer Gaby Koppel posted online, criticising Duolingo for inserting political ideology into language practice.
Rowling also escalated tensions with Nicola Sturgeon, mocking passages of Sturgeon’s autobiography on social media.
Sturgeon noted people may disagree with her, but she described Rowling’s chosen language as unnecessarily antagonistic.
Separately, the Polari Prize halted its 2025 programme when outrage arose over the inclusion of writer John Boyne.
Boyne, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, defended Rowling, voiced gender-critical opinions, and drew strong LGBTQ backlash.
