Disturbing Truth about Grammarly's Privacy

Disturbing Truth about Grammarly's Privacy

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to Grammarly
2. How Grammarly Works
3. Privacy Concerns and Enterprise Use
4. Data Collection and User Content
5. Pricing and Cost Comparison
6. Browser Extension Permissions
7. Comparison with Free and Proprietary Applications
8. Additional Features: Plagiarism Checker
9. Trustworthiness of Grammarly
10. Conclusion

Introduction to Grammarly

Grammarly is an online spelling and grammatical checker that can be added to various platforms, including web browsers, Microsoft Office, and Android phones. It helps users identify and correct grammatical and spelling mistakes, making their written content more accurate and polished. While Grammarly has gained popularity through an extensive advertising campaign, it is important to analyze its privacy implications, especially in enterprise environments.

How Grammarly Works

To provide its services, Grammarly transmits user data to Amazon servers in the United States. This data allows the program to analyze and highlight grammatical and spelling errors in real-time across different applications. While this feature may be convenient for personal use, it raises concerns for enterprises that handle sensitive information and intellectual property.

Privacy Concerns and Enterprise Use

In an enterprise environment, privacy and data protection are crucial. Grammarly's data transmission to external servers introduces potential risks, as American companies can access and analyze the data. This poses a significant concern for businesses that wish to safeguard their intellectual property from unauthorized access. While some employees may find Grammarly useful, enterprises should carefully assess its privacy implications before implementing it within their systems.

Data Collection and User Content

Grammarly's Privacy Policy states that personal data is collected, including User Content. User Content refers to any text, document, or content uploaded or transmitted by users while using Grammarly's services. This may include names of contacts when using the Grammarly keyboard. The Terms & Conditions reveal that by uploading or entering User Content, users grant Grammarly a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid, transferable, sublicensable, perpetual, and irreversible license to copy, store, and use their User Content to improve algorithms. This means that Grammarly has access to and can utilize users' written work.

Pricing and Cost Comparison

Grammarly offers a free version with basic grammar and spelling checks. However, to access premium features, users can opt for paid versions that range from $30 to $139 per month. In comparison, Microsoft Office, which includes a comprehensive office suite, can be purchased as a personal license for $70. Considering the cost of Grammarly's premium version, users may find better value in opting for an all-inclusive office suite rather than solely relying on a grammar and spelling checker.

Browser Extension Permissions

When adding Grammarly as a browser extension, users are prompted to grant certain permissions. Upon inspection, it is disclosed that technical and device data, including IP addresses and browser versions, is automatically sent to every Website visited and any browser extension used. While this data transmission is intended to improve the product and user experience, it is important to consider the implications of sharing personal information and browsing behavior with external parties.

Comparison with Free and Proprietary Applications

In terms of accuracy, Grammarly may not necessarily outperform free open-source applications or proprietary alternatives like Microsoft Office. While testing Grammarly's grammar and spelling checks against names of non-application software, it failed to recognize several correct spellings. Moreover, free open-source applications such as Libre Office performed comparably in identifying errors and even recognized its competitor, Microsoft Office. Therefore, the claim that a paid service like Grammarly is superior may not always hold true.

Additional Features: Plagiarism Checker

Aside from grammar and spelling checks, Grammarly offers additional features like a plagiarism checker. Users can copy and paste text into Grammarly's online tool to detect potential instances of plagiarism. While it appears to be a useful feature, its effectiveness may vary. Testing showed that Grammarly did recognize some instances of plagiarism, but not all. Thus, users should exercise caution and not solely rely on Grammarly's plagiarism checker for comprehensive results.

Trustworthiness of Grammarly

Considering the Core grammar and spelling features, Grammarly does not consistently outperform other applications. In the case of enterprise usage, proprietary applications or well-established alternatives like Microsoft Office may be more suitable. Grammarly's extensive advertising campaign does not necessarily guarantee the superiority of its services.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Grammarly offers a convenient solution for grammar and spelling checks. However, users should carefully consider the privacy implications, especially in enterprise settings. The data collection and transmission aspects, along with the cost comparison and effectiveness compared to other applications, must be thoroughly evaluated. While Grammarly may have its merits, it is crucial to choose the right tool that aligns with individual needs and prioritizes data privacy.