Duolingo has been forced to apologise after JK Rowling was described as “mean” in one of its translation exercises.
Journalist Gaby Koppel said she was trying to learn German when she discovered the insult on the language-teaching app.
Ms Rowling has been embroiled in controversy over the years concerning her outlook on gender identity, with activists claiming she is “transphobic”.
The Harry Potter author’s views are often centred around the rights of biological women and supporting same-sex spaces.
She has been a high-profile opponent of gender reforms introduced by ex-Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon.
The 60-year-old famously wore a T-shirt that branded the former First Minister a “destroyer of women’s rights”.
Duolingo said it plans to take the translation exercise off the app.
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The sentence included in the Duolingo activity referred to JK Rowling as ‘mean’
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GETTYIt posted to X: “We apologise for any offence caused and will remove this content from the app.”
However, Duolingo appeared to leave a sour taste in user’s mouths even after issuing the apology.
One person wrote on social media: “Not enough! I’ve cancelled my subscription!”
“Not good enough. You need to review your process for adding content and make sure it remains free of ideology,” another user said.
Duolingo has been forced to apologise over the sentence included in one of its translation exercises
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GETTY
One person commented: “Let me translate that for you:- ‘We’re sorry we got caught’!”
Another added: “Thank you, and I will remove your app now.”
Duolingo was last week warned not to get “too political” after promoting its new “queer” characters on social media and making reference to a ruling by the Supreme Court which means “woman” and “sex” in gender legislation will solely refer to a biological woman and biological sex.
A screenshot of DuoLingo’s jibe at JK Rowling
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X
Alongside photos of some of its new characters, the app wrote: “To the supreme court: inclusivity matters.”
“I’ll pass. Please don’t get political,” one user replied to the post.