Is Grammarly a keylogger? What can you do about it? (kolide.com)

Article summary

The article discusses whether Grammarly, a writing assistance tool, can be considered a keylogger due to its ability to capture and send user text to its servers. Grammarly's official response to this question is that it only accesses text when the user is actively using its product, but the article argues that this statement oversimplifies the issue. The article examines how Grammarly captures text on macOS devices and highlights potential security and privacy concerns. It also explores what Grammarly can do with the collected data and how it may be used.

Main themes

• Grammarly and keylogging
• Writing skills and tools
• Privacy and security concerns
• Language and communication
• Technology and traditional skills
• Disability and accessibility
• Education and learning

What commenters say

• Grammarly's ability to capture and send user text raises significant privacy and security concerns.
• The tool's benefits for individuals with disabilities, such as dyslexia, outweigh its potential drawbacks.
• Over-reliance on grammar and spell-checking tools can lead to a decline in writing skills and attention to detail.
• Grammar and spelling rules are essential for effective communication, and neglecting them can lead to ambiguity and confusion.
• The importance of grammar and spelling skills is debated, with some arguing that they are not as crucial as other skills, such as creativity and critical thinking.
• The use of tools like Grammarly can perpetuate a lack of understanding of language fundamentals, rather than promoting genuine writing proficiency.
• The conversation around Grammarly's potential as a keylogger is distinct from discussions about the impact of technology on traditional skills like arithmetic.
• Some argue that the benefits of using tools like Grammarly, such as improved writing efficiency, outweigh the potential risks and drawbacks.