Duolingo under fire: Hungary opens investigation into language app giant
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Hungary’s Competition Authority (GVH) has launched a competition supervision procedure against Duolingo Inc., the US-based company behind the world’s most popular language-learning app, on suspicion of unfair commercial practices.
Hungary’s watchdog probes Duolingo over unfair practices
According to GVH, the company may have misled consumers in several ways. The watchdog suspects Duolingo of exaggerating the effectiveness of its learning methods, citing claims such as “9 out of 10 learners can speak confidently after one month”, as well as unsubstantiated slogans like “the best way in the world to learn a language.”
The authority also pointed out that Duolingo may have failed to provide clear, accessible, and Hungarian-language information about the terms of use of its web and mobile platforms, especially regarding the limitations of the free version. In addition, the company allegedly pressures users through frequent and unsolicited direct marketing messages, encouraging them to use the service more often and switch to the paid version.
Duolingo is one of the world’s leading online language-learning providers, boasting nearly 380,000 daily active users in Hungary alone. Its mascot and logo, the green owl known as Duo, is recognized worldwide.
GVH emphasized that launching the procedure does not mean a violation has already been established; the investigation aims to clarify the facts and determine whether any infringement has taken place. The probe is expected to last three months, with the possibility of two extensions of up to two months each.
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I use Duolingo everyday for learning Hungarian, it’s one of the best app. I don’t see the point on this article using myself the free version
If I was to be cynical I would say that the real reason is because a lot of the character situations involve same sex couples and marriages. Plus one male character cross dresses in at least one module.
For learning Hungarian I found Mondly to be a lot better than Duolingo but it’s fine for French/German/etc.
Ik heb er al veel van geleerd ,zeker als je een geheugen hebt als een zeef zoals ik ,Je kan ook hongaarse lessen online volgen op de Universiteit van Leuven (Belgie)via ICL maar is te academisch.