Duolingo apologised after a German lesson referred to J.K. Rowling as mean. The lesson was deleted after complaints from users.
The exercise asked if learners liked Harry Potter. The suggested reply included a personal insult aimed at Rowling.
The company admitted the sentence was inappropriate, expressed regret, and promised to keep its content focused only on language.
Rowling remains divisive for her views on trans rights, which continue to generate criticism from fans, campaigners, and actors.
Daniel Radcliffe said he felt saddened by her words and repeated his active support for LGBTQ communities.
Broader Backlash in Culture and Literature
Several learners said politics should not appear in education apps. Producer Gaby Koppel voiced complaints online, criticising Duolingo’s approach.
Meanwhile, Rowling entered new conflict with Nicola Sturgeon, posting mocked excerpts from the former leader’s autobiography on social media.
Sturgeon commented that disagreement is fair but accused Rowling of using dangerous and provocative language.
In related news, the Polari Prize suspended its 2025 award after controversy over the longlisting of novelist John Boyne.
Boyne has defended Rowling publicly, promoted gender-critical beliefs, and drew strong condemnation from LGBTQ writers and readers.
