Duolingo apologised after a German lesson criticised author J.K. Rowling. The exercise has now been removed.
The lesson asked: “Do you like books with Harry Potter as a character?” The correct answer included, “Yes, but in my opinion the author is mean.”
The company, with more than 130 million daily active users, said: “We apologise for any offence caused and will remove this content.”
The response appeared linked to Rowling’s polarising views on trans rights, which drew condemnation from many online and from Harry Potter actors.
Daniel Radcliffe said he feels sad about Rowling’s comments. He emphasised his continuing support for LGBTQ+ rights and confirmed he no longer contacts her.
TV producer Gaby Koppel criticised Duolingo on X, calling the lesson politically motivated and an unnecessary injection of ideology into language learning.
Rowling recently criticised former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, posting annotated pages of Sturgeon’s autobiography online with offensive remarks.
Sturgeon said Rowling had the right to disagree but called the “destroyer of women’s rights” slogan incendiary and deeply divisive.
LGBTQ+ Literary Award Faces Backlash
The Polari Prize paused its 2025 contest after criticism over the inclusion of author John Boyne. His novel “Earth” had been longlisted.
Boyne, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, has called himself a “TERF” and voiced gender-critical positions in interviews.
In a recent column, he defended Rowling and compared women who oppose her stance to figures enabling abuse in The Handmaid’s Tale.
