Duolingo apologised after users noticed a German lesson calling J.K. Rowling mean. The company confirmed the lesson has been taken down.
The exercise asked if learners liked Harry Potter. The approved answer contained a negative remark about the author herself.
Duolingo stated it regretted causing offence and assured users that lessons should stay centered on language rather than opinions.
Rowling’s record on trans rights continues to divide readers and generate criticism from activists, celebrities, and the original Harry Potter cast.
Daniel Radcliffe said her comments saddened him and stressed his ongoing support for LGBTQ people and their rights.
Heated Reactions and Literary Backlash
Some learners expressed frustration at seeing political content in study material. Producer Gaby Koppel condemned Duolingo publicly on social media.
Rowling also renewed conflict with Nicola Sturgeon, posting images of annotated pages from Sturgeon’s autobiography with mocking notes.
Sturgeon said Rowling had the freedom to disagree but accused her of using intentionally provocative and incendiary words.
Separately, the Polari Prize suspended its 2025 award after community anger over the inclusion of author John Boyne.
Boyne, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, defended Rowling and embraced gender-critical positions, sparking widespread backlash.
