Duolingo apologised after a German exercise described Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling as mean. The company quickly deleted the content.
The lesson asked whether students liked Harry Potter books. The suggested answer included criticism of the writer’s personality.
In a statement, the platform said it regretted the offence caused and confirmed the lesson would disappear from the app.
The controversy reflected ongoing debates over Rowling’s highly divisive remarks on trans rights, which many public figures and fans condemned.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe expressed sadness over Rowling’s comments and explained he continues to support full equality for LGBTQ people.
Public Reactions and Wider Context
Some found the lesson inappropriate, with TV producer Gaby Koppel criticising Duolingo online for pushing ideology into language teaching.
Meanwhile, Rowling clashed with Nicola Sturgeon by sharing annotated sections of Sturgeon’s autobiography and insulting remarks on social media.
Sturgeon responded that Rowling could disagree with her views but warned such attacks fuelled hostility and tension in public debate.
The Polari Prize, a leading LGBTQ+ literary award, also paused its 2025 contest after controversy around novelist John Boyne.
Boyne, known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, defended Rowling and repeated gender-critical ideas that sparked strong criticism across the community.
