If you use Duolingo, maybe don't anymore? The company is moving to be "AI-first" and is using AI to generate their content. Meaning, AI is now generating your language lessons.
They announced that they were going to use AI for this a while back but now they're annoucing that they're getting rid of the contractors reviewing the AI generated content. So, very soon Duolingo is just going to be AI generated slop that might not even be correct.
For alternatives, I'd recommend checking with your local library. For instance, mine offers Rosetta Stone for free if you have a library card.
I have found there is a way to nuke my duolingo account from orbit and god they don't make it easy, putting instructions here for anyone else who would like to. I am unsure if it's possible on mobile (already uninstalled the app on mobile) but I'm pissed off enough + suspect that they might pay slightly more attention to account deletion en masse rather than app uninstalling en masse. also I cannot see myself ever using this bs again, so...
step 1: log onto duolingo.com
step 2: there's a sidebar on the left. mouse over "more" and then "help."
step 3: scroll down the list of frequently asked questions to the "account management" category. click on "how do I delete my account an access my data" and then on the link to "duolingo data vault."
step 4: hit the big red "erase personal data" button. do not be swayed by the crying owl. he cares not for you, only for your data.
step 5: they should send you an email to whatever account is connected to your duolingo account. you can tell which email it is based on the spam you've gotten for the past several years reminding you to maintain your streak.
step 5.5: if you have a super duolingo subscription or got suckered into their free trial that does not cancel automatically, cancel that separately, they explicitly state that they will keep charging you even if you do not have an account which tracks for the company duolingo is now
step 6: find the email, click on the link listed after "delete my data link"
step 7: wait 7 days. you cannot get your data deleted any faster than this, but you can cancel it during this 7-day grace period.
step 8: apparently it will take "up to 23 more days" to delete your data entirely. pat yourself on the back. you're free now.
jokes aside, I'm still on step 7 myself, but I cannot see myself WANTING to undo my account deletion even if I could, so... for anyone who's confused about how to do this but wants to, hope this can help.
and on a final note, fuck gen ai all my homies hate generative ai.
