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An uptick in the temperature outside, extra spending money from a tax return, a sudden urge to clean — these are all good reasons for a spring reset-themed shopping spree. We fully back that, but you might want to hold off on big purchases until Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Amazon hasn't announced dates for its 2026 spring sale yet, but that definitely doesn't mean it's not happening. Europe's version of the Amazon spring sale was officially confirmed on March 3, so the U.S. announcement is sure to follow. Given the time slots of the previous two Big Spring Sales, odds are high that Amazon's Big Spring Sale 2026 will happen soon.

Best Amazon deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale Best air purifier deal Shark NeverChange Compact Pro (250 sq. ft) $129.95 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 $599.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 55-inch canvas QLED 4K TV $693.99 at Best Buy (save $306) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) C$679.00 at Amazon Canada (save $100) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $329.00 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal What goes on sale during Amazon's spring sale?

Just about any product that goes on sale during Prime Day or Black Friday could come back as a Big Spring Deal. Halloween decor and tailgating gear aren't the only items that go on sale during October Prime Day, right?

Yes, there will be a spotlight on the usual spring refresh suspects like cleaning supplies, workout equipment, grills, and gardening tools. But major year-round categories like TVs, headphones, Apple devices, and Legos are just as likely to be included. For any big tech items that were released recently after their CES 2026 debut, the Big Spring Sale could be their first big sale event opportunity to see a noteworthy discount.

You can also expect Amazon to do some spring cleaning of its own, so look for big discounts on past-gen products like Sony's XM5 headphones.

Here's a closer look at specific categories we expect to see discounted, based on the best Amazon spring deals we saw at last year's event:

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it? Robot vacuums

Robot vacuum deals are core to any Amazon sale event, but they're even more core during spring cleaning season. In 2025, we saw new record-low prices on robot vacuums like the Roborock Qrevo Curv and the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro, both of which had just come out in September. As Mashable's resident robot vacuum reviewer, I'll be scouring the 2026 spring sale for new record price drops on new top robot vacuum and mop combos like the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, Dreame X60 Max Ultra, and Eufy C28.

TVs

Amid the hype about the spring releases of several 2026 flagship TVs, Amazon's Spring Sale should be a hot spot for affordable QLED TVs. In 2025, we saw a 65-inch TCL QLED under $400 and a 75-inch Hisense QLED under $600. Keeping 2025 Black Friday TV deals in mind as well, I'm expecting bigger discounts than we've ever seen on top budget QLED TVs like the TCL QM6K. Some of last year's top OLED TVs (like the Samsung S95F) will likely see unprecedented drops.

Legos

Amazon sale events are a consistently great spot to find Lego deals, and the Big Spring Sale won't just be focusing on the springy Botanicals sets. In 2025, we saw deals on Lego Star Wars, Nintendo Lego, Lego Ninjago, Lego Architecture, and so much more. We expect the list of Legos on sale to be just as long this year.

Cordless tools

Don't ignore the seasonal pull to tackle those home projects that have been haunting you. They'll be less of an undertaking with the right power tools, and a ton of good ones are about to go on sale. In 2025, Amazon had killer deals on cordless tools, including nearly 50% off a Dewalt cordless drill combo kit.

Headphones

March is a good month to find plane ticket deals. If you're planning some summer travel, you should be able to find a good pair of noise-canceling headphones on sale for the plane. In 2025, Amazon's spring sale headphone deals included the Bose QC Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5. New versions of each have come out since then, so we're hoping for big discounts on the Bose QC Ultra 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6.

All things Pokémon

The Big Spring Sale is sure to ride the high of the Pokémon 30th anniversary, considering we see mega Pokémon deals at Amazon when it's not a big celebration year. In 2025, we saw deals on plushes, Funko Pop! figures, and even TCG. The Charizard ex Super Premium collection was big at the time, but 2026 deals could include Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex Box, a Journey Together or Destined Rivals booster box, or the Mega Evolution series.

Air purifiers

In the spirit of pollen season, air purifier deals are another Big Spring Sale staple. In 2025, we saw big discounts on popular models like the Coway Airmega 200M and Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool. This year, I'm expecting new record-low pricing on the Dyson HushJet and Shark NeverChange, both of which last up to five years without a filter change.

South by Southwest 2026 kicks off today, launching a seven-day festival of tech, film, music, and much, much more. Looking through SXSW's massive catalog of screenings, sessions, and performances can be dizzying. So our Entertainment team has dedicatedly scoured the film lineup for the most promising films out of the festival.

Whether you're craving star-stuffed headliners, bonkers midnight movies, daring documentaries, or dazzling indie gems, we've got something for you.

Be sure to keep up with Mashable, as we'll have reviews, tech reports, interviews, and social media coverage of all things SXSW. So, let's begin with the 17 movies you need to know about right now.

I Love Boosters

Following the critical acclaim of Sorry to Bother You and I'm A Virgo, celebrated rapper/filmmaker Boots Riley returns with I Love Boosters, which is the Opening Night selection for SXSW.

What's a booster? Well, as the teaser lays out, it's "somebody that steal clothes from a store, sell it at discount prices." The boosters (Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige) think of themselves as fashion-forward philanthropists. But to one target, a wealthy designer played by The Substance's Demi Moore, they are "low-class urban bitches." The gauntlet has been thrown down, and we can't wait to see how this plays out.

Starring: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza Gonzalez, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, I Love Boosters opens in theaters on May 22.

SEE ALSO: What tech to expect from SXSW 2026 The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

Does AI scare you? Inspire you? Either way, The AI Doc is required viewing.

Filmmaker Daniel Roher was on the verge of becoming a father for the first time when he became fixated on what the rise of AI could mean for his child's future. So, he asked. Sitting down with a wide array of AI critics and accelerationists for The AI Doc, Roher explores what the possibilities of AI could mean for the future of humanity. The answers range from a utopia to an apocalypse. So, how is the average human supposed to make sense of what lies ahead?

SEE ALSO: Win tickets to see 'The AI Doc' early at Mashable's advanced screenings

Through these interviews, as well as Roher's more personal arc of becoming a first-time parent, he guides audiences through his own journey in understanding AI. Thus, he provides a road map to aid audiences not only in understanding but also activism.

And to learn more about the film and AI, check out Focus Features' panel The AI Panel: Or What Being an Apocaloptimist Looks Like, which will be hosted by me, Mashable's Entertainment Editor.

Starring: Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, Dario Amodei, Daniela Amodei, Emily M. Bender, Yoshua Bengio, Liv Boeree, Ajeya Cotra, Peter Diamandis, Randima Fernando, Timnit Gebru, Karen Hao, Yuval Noah Harari, David Evan Harris, Tristan Harris, Dan Hendrycks, Reid Hoffman, and Daniel Kokotajlo

How to watch: Following its Texas premiere at SXSW, The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist opens in theaters on March 27. And look for more Mashable coverage out of SXSW.

Anima Sydney Chandler stars in "Anima." Credit: Kebrado

Seeking an AI story that's less stressful? Look to director Brian Tetsuro Ivie's Anima. Sure, the setup sounds like a Black Mirror episode. But the vibes of this drama are much more poetic and peaceful, without losing the thought-provoking edge.

Alien: Earth's Sidney Chandler stars as Beck, an engineer who's good with computers but bad with people. Desperate to get a job at a company that claims to copy a person's consciousness into a computer (we've heard that sales pitch before!), she agrees to take an entry-level job driving an ultra-rich client to his final appointment. A road trip movie about two strangers finding a deeper connection, this is an AI story about the power and fragility of the human spirit. And it'll hit like a jolt to your system.

Starring: Sydney Chandler, Takehiro Hira, Marin Ireland, Lili Taylor, Maria Dizzia, Tom McCarthy, Emil Wakim, and Maximilian Lee Piazza

How to watch: Following its Texas premiere at SXSW, Anima's theatrical release is currently unknown.

Never After Dark Moeka Hoshi stars as a medium in "Never After Dark." Credit: SXSW

Written and directed by Dave Boyle, this haunted house story centers on a pair of sisters who can commune with ghosts. Together, they traverse Japan, making a living by helping the dead pass on. There's just one catch: One sister is a ghost herself, only seen by her sibling Airi (Moeka Hoshi) in reflections. Yet even their powers combined might not be enough for their latest challenge — a long-empty hotel where a jawless ghost is stalking the new owner.

Unfolding a creepy tale in a slow-burn approach with a gnarly and engaging mystery, Never After Dark is sure to thrill the Midnighter crowds at SXSW. But keep an eye out for a spooky movie night closer to home.

Starring: Moeka Hoshi, Kento Kaku, Kurumi Inagaki, Mutsuo Yoshioka, Bokuzo Masana, and Tae Kimura

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Never After Dark's theatrical release is currently unknown.

Edie Arnold is a Loser

Written by Megan Rico and co-directed by Rico and Kade Atwood, Edie Arnold is a Loser is a coming-of-age story for the weird girls. And thank God.

Set in a Catholic school — complete with uniforms and nuns — Edie Arnold is a Loser centers on the eponymous teen (Adi Madden Cabrera), whose life is forever changed when she accidentally takes the stage at a punk show. Turns out, that's a gateway to creating her own band, The NunDead, with a motley crew from her classes. Chaotic and comical, diving giddily into teen angst, crushes, and peer pressure, this movie is an oddball delight that will have you cackling and maybe cringing in recognition. But it's OK. We all had an awkward stage.

Starring: Adi Madden Cabrera, McKenna Tuckett, Cherish Rodriguez, Niki Rahimi, Alexa Paige, Luseane Pasa, Star Herrmann, Alana Mei Kern, Gabe Root, and Lucas Van Orden

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Edie Arnold is a Loser's theatrical release is currently unknown.

Hokum

Among my most anticipated movies of 2026, Hokum unites two scorching forces of horror. Damian McCarthy, the Irish filmmaker behind Caveat and Oddity, teams with Adam Scott (Krampus, The Monkey) for Hokum.

SEE ALSO: 'Oddity's Damian McCarthy reveals the origins of his Wooden Man

A devotee of practical effects and freaky folklore, McCarthy is building a distinctive and thrilling brand of scares. In his latest, he casts Scott to play a reclusive novelist named Ohm Bauman, who travels to a far-off Irish inn to spread the ashes of his late parents. While there, he hears creepy tales of a witch who haunts the honeymoon suite. Call it "hokum," if you will. But Ohm begins fall victim to strange occurrences and bizarre visions, drawing him deeper and deeper into nightmarish secrets of the past.* — K.P.

Starring: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Connell, Michael Patric, Siox C, Brendan Conroy, Austin Amelio, and Ezra Carlisle

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Hokum opens in theaters on May 1.

The Saviors Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler in "The Saviors." Credit: SXSW

If you can't get enough of Adam Scott, you won't want to miss his other genre offering out of SXSW. In The Saviors, Scott co-stars opposite Station Eleven's Danielle Deadwyler as a married couple in the suburbs, on the brink of divorce. But their dynamic switches from sleeping in separate beds to a kinky sex when the renters in their guest house spark their suspicions. What's with the tremors in the ground? The green lights flashing through their windows?

Following in the tradition of such eavesdropping-centric cinema as Rear Window and The 'Burbs, The Saviors is a fascinating thriller with a dash of sex appeal and humor. And co-writer/director Kevin Hamedani has a profound message lurking under this genre's slick surface. Be warned: You'll want to watch this twice.

Starring: Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Kate Berlant, Nazanin Boniadi, Daveed Diggs, Ron Perlman, Colleen Camp, and Greg Kinnear

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, The Saviors' release is TBD.

Power Ballad

Musician turned moviemaker John Carney has rolled out a series of musical dramas, from the Oscar–winning Once to the critically adored Sing Street and the less-beloved Begin Again and Flora and Son. This time, the Irish artist leans more into comedy with the help of Paul Rudd.

The Anaconda star plays a wedding DJ opposite Nick Jonas, who portrays a fading rock star. One fateful night leads the latter stealing an unpublished song from the former, reigniting his career while leaving the DJ in the dust. Presumably hilarious hijinks follow.*

Starring: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, and Jack Reynor

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Power Ballad opens in theaters on June 5.

Over Your Dead Body Samara Weaving and Jason Segel play a couple who's deadly sick of each other in "Over Your Dead Body." Credit: SXSW

The Lonely Island's Jorma Taccone has previously helmed such side-splitting comedies as MacGruber and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. Now, he's back with Over Your Dead Body, an American remake of Tommy Wirkola's 2021 horror-comedy The Trip.

Samara Weaving and Jason Segel co-star as a couple who travel to a remote cabin, theoretically to reconnect. But their dark hearts are separately planning a drastic breakup tactic: murdering their mate. You had us at Jorma. But with this cast, we're not just seated, we're giddy.

Starring: Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, Paul Guilfoyle, and Keith Jardine

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Over Your Dead Body's theatrical release is currently unknown.

Cornbread Mafia Two Kentucky farmers who were part of the Cornbread Mafia. Credit: SXSW

There's several promising true crime docs at SXSW this year. But the cream of the crop from what we can tell is Cornbread Mafia. Documentarians Evan Mascagni and Drew Morris delve into the band of Kentucky farmers who grew to be the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history. They went from "dirt poor dirt farmers" to wealthy pot dealers, who followed the Italian mafia's code of omertà to protect each other and their families. Still, the law came calling, bringing with it sentences of twenty plus years. But that's not where the Cornbread Mafia's story ends, and they'll let you know it.

The interviews of the Cornbread Mafia are so full of character from the start, you might think you're watching a Coen Bros. comedy. Mascagni and Morris give these fascinating figures space to tell their stories, their way, then illustrate reenactments with a bouncing brand of animation. Altogether, it's not just an entertaining doc, but one that probes the hypocrisy of the war on drugs and mandatory minimums.

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, The Cornbread Mafia's release is currently unknown.

Same Same But Different Medalion Rahimi, Layla Mohammadi, and Dalia Rooni play best friends in "Same Same But Different." Credit: SXSW

Seeking something sweet, silly, and fun? Don't miss Same Same But Different.

Written by Dalia Rooni, who also co-stars, this comedy is about romance, culture clash, and the friends who'll stick by you through everything. See, Rana (Medalion Rahimi) is a hard-working Iranian nurse who's been denied her visa to become a U.S. citizen for a third time. Her well-meaning situationship offers to marry her for a green card, which she agrees to reluctantly. However, as the wedding day approaches, it's not just Rana who's shaken up by the nuptials. Her best friends, free spirit Nadia (Rooni) and rule-following Setareh (Layla Mohammadi) agree to come to his family's swanky vacation house to make the wedding look legit. But with two white boyfriends in tow, all three Iranian women begin to question what they want, both from their homeland's traditions and their new home's opportunities.

As dramatic as the setup sounds, Same Same But Different operates on a My Big Fat Greek Wedding wavelength, bringing plenty of laughs into every scenes. Plus, centered on three compelling gal pals, it's a terrific pick for a girls' night out.

Starring: Medalion Rahimi, Logan Miller, Layla Mohammadi, Dalia Rooni, Richie Moriarty, Michael Baszler, Danielle Pinnock, Lauren Noll, Nicholas Coombe, Kevin Nealon, and Joey Lauren Adams

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Same Same But Different's release is currently unknown.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Another Samara Weaving horror-comedy hitting SXSW — Ready or Not 2: Here I Come picks up with its outrageous predecessor left off. In the hit horror-comedy Ready or Not, scrappy newlywed Grace Le Domas (Samara Weaving) managed to outwit and outlast her devilish in-laws. But now she's got a new game to play, and it's not just her life on the line.

Still bruised from her last life-or-death game, Grace learns the High Council families are going "double or nothing" with her. It's a new level of horror, with a clutch of rich and ruthless families competing to kill Grace and her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton). There will be blood, and plenty more eat-the-rich thrills.*

Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, Olivia Cheng, David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come opens in theaters on March 20.

Imposters

Written and directed by Caleb Phillips, Imposters offers a horror premise deeply rooted in family drama, but with a mind-bending twist you won't see coming.

Happy Death Day's Jessica Rothe and Russian Doll's Charlie Barnett star as a married couple, Marie and Paul, who are trying to get a fresh start in a new house in a rural community with their new baby boy. However, things go from strained to strange when their baby goes missing during a housewarming party. While Marie will bring him home, Paul wonders if the baby in their bassinet is really his son. Uncovering the truth may well make him wish he hadn't.

Starring: Jessica Rothe, Charlie Barnett, Yul Vazquez, Bates Wilder, Luisina Quarleri, Thomas Parobek, Ian Lyons, Taylor Karin, Lee Bennett, and Declan Bennett

How to watch: Following Imposters' SXSW premiere, its theatrical release is currently unknown.

Black Zombie A Black zombie stands in a sugar cane field in "Black Zombie." Credit: SXSW

Zombies have had a major resurgence in popularity, from The Walking Dead to The Last of Us and 28 Years Later's latest trilogy. But before this wave, before the movies of George A. Romero, before even White Zombie, the legend of this horror icon came from Haiti and its Vodou religion.

Documentarian Maya Annik Bedward takes audiences back to these origins, balancing talking heard interviews with clips from zombie movies to knit the complicated narrative around this iconic monster. It's a rich and riveting deep dive that's a must-see for horror fans.

How to watch: Following Imposters' SXSW premiere, its theatrical release is currently unknown.

See You When I See You The cast of "See You When I See You." Credit: SXSW

Austin film community alum Jay Duplass returns to SXSW with his follow-up to The Baltimorons, with another touching tale of love and loss. Written by stand-up Adam Cayton-Holland, See You When I See You centers on a comedy writer (Cooper Raiff), whose life and sanity is thrown into spin by the death of his younger sister (Kaitlyn Dever).

Along with strong performances from a star-studded cast, this family drama offers a unique visual exploration of the deep suck of grief. Specifically, its hero's memories of his sister aren't simply flashbacks, but shifting surreal spaces that illustrate the emotion of these feelings, not the reality of what happened. Brimming with energy and emotional intelligence, See You When I See You is a drama not to be missed.

Starring: Cooper Raiff, David Duchovny, Kaitlyn Dever, Hope Davis, Lucy Boynton, and Ariela Barer

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, See You When I See You's release date is currently unknown.

Pretty Lethal

Timothée Chalamet might not think much of ballet. But this grimy action-comedy is inspired by the strength, determination, and resilience demanded of this classical art form.

Written by Kate Freund and directed by Vicky Jewson, Pretty Lethal follows a flock of American ballerinas who are on their way to an international competition in Hungary when their bus breaks down. Stumbling upon a nearby inn, they think they've found help, but they soon discover they've stepped on the toes of a turf war. Blood will spatter on their perfect white tutus. But vengeance will come at the end of a weaponized ballet slipper!

Starring: Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler, and Uma Thurman

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, Pretty Lethal comes to Prime Video on March 25.

They Will Kill You

From producers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the brother-sister team behind IT: Chapters 1 & 2 and IT: Welcome to Derry, comes They Will Kill You. Directed by Kirill Sokolov, this grisly action-comedy stars Zazie Beetz (Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die) as a woman who takes a housekeeping job at the Virgil, a mysterious high-rise that she doesn't know is run by a cult, hellbent on human sacrifice.

From the Warner Bros.' trailer, They Will Kill You looks like it's pulling inspiration from the Blaxploitation genre; it's centered on a strong, sexy Black heroine who curses, kicks ass, and takes no shit. With the trailer spurting plenty of blood and teasing bonkers action, we predict They Will Kill You will be a big hit at SXSW. And lucky for those not coming to Austin, it's coming soon to theaters.

Starring: Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette

How to watch: Following its SXSW premiere, They Will Kill You opens in theaters March 27.

Would it surprise you to learn that Pornhub pulls in enough eyeballs to rank among the most-visited websites on the entire planet?

According to SimilarWeb (an analytics platform for websites and apps), adult websites like Xvideos and Pornhub get a staggering number of monthly visitors, with Pornhub alone drawing 1.5 billion visits in January 2026. To put that number in perspective, these porn giants often outrank sites like Netflix and Amazon (though not ChatGPT).

If you're itching to take things a step further than just watching and want to live out some of those fantasies IRL (or securely online), then you may find yourself exploring Pornhub alternatives like AdultFriendFinder and other NSFW dating sites. Fortunately, we've tested and vetted these sites for you.

Pro tip: Avoid the sketchy, too-good-to-be-true "dating sites" that often appear as pop-ups and ads on adult websites like Pornhub.

What to know before diving into NSA hookup apps

But before you dive into some of the top Pornhub alternatives for real encounters, let's be clear about what you're getting into. On these apps and sites, "dating" usually means a one-night stand, a threesome, or a sex buddy — not a long-term partner. Likewise, platforms like Cams.com and SextPanther are paid platforms that connect you to online performers, which means no IRL connections. (Bringing up IRL meetings could get you permanently banned from these sites.) When navigating the best hookup apps, always be specific and honest about what you want on your profile to find someone who's on the same page. And remember the golden rule: consent, boundary-setting, and respect are non-negotiable.

Finally, one more warning: There are a lot of romance scammers and other cyber criminals looking to take advantage of people online. Please be cautious and use common sense.

While most of these sites are free to access, many offer paid memberships to unlock bonus features. So, if you're tired of your goon cave, here are our favorite X-rated dating sites for 2026 as an alternative to Pornhub. (Be warned: NSFW content awaits, obviously.)

Grammarly has pulled its AI-powered Expert Review feature after being called out for using journalists' and authors' identities without permission. The writing assistant software is now facing a class action lawsuit accusing it of exploiting writers' names for its own profit.

SEE ALSO: Grammarly announces 'Superhuman' rebrand as it doubles down on AI

Launched alongside seven other AI agents last August, Expert Review was available on Grammarly's Free and $12 Pro plans at launch, and was promoted as providing users with feedback on the content of their writing. A page on Grammarly's website which has since been taken down stated that Expert Review "[drew] on insights from subject-matter experts and trusted publications," and provided AI-generated feedback "based on publicly available expert content" (via Wayback Machine). Users could even personalise which "expert" sources Grammarly drew from by selecting the names of specific authors.

"Expert Review agent offers subject-matter expertise and personalized, topic-specific feedback to elevate writing that meets rigorous academic or professional standards tailored to the user's field," Grammarly wrote in its blog post announcing the feature.

Grammarly's Expert Review came to attention last week after Wired reported that the feature was offering AI-generated edits in the name of real writers and academics, both living and dead. The tool's user guide does provide the disclaimer that its references to experts "are for informational purposes only and do not indicate any affiliation with Grammarly or endorsement by those individuals or entities." However, the same page also claims that Expert Review offers "insights from leading professionals, authors, and subject-matter experts."

Many said subject-matter experts have not taken kindly to Grammarly using their identities without their knowledge or consent.

"[Grammarly] curated a list of real people, gave its models free rein to hallucinate plausible-sounding advice on their behalf, and put it all behind a subscription," wrote Platformer founder Casey Newton, who was among those invoked by Grammarly. That's a deliberate choice to monetize the identities of real people without involving them, and it sucks."

"This has got to be some kind of defamation or something," historian Mar Hicks posted to Bluesky, having shared a screenshot of their identity being included in Expert Review. "You can’t just steal people’s IP and then pretend they’re saying something they never said."

Grammarly responds to Expert Review backlash

I need someone with grammarly to find out if I'm one of their experts so I can send a scathing email.

— Mikki Kendall (@karnythia.bsky.social) March 12, 2026 at 2:48 AM

Responding to the backlash, Grammarly told Platformer on Monday that it would allow writers to email them to opt out of inclusion in its Expert Review feature. This prompted further criticism, as experts were not told that Grammarly was using their identity, nor had they granted it permission in the first place. Impacted authors wouldn't know that they needed to opt out unless a Grammarly user saw their name while using Expert Review and informed them. 

Further, providing the option to opt out did not address Grammarly's use of dead authors' identities. Deceased writers used by Expert Review reportedly included astronomer Carl Sagan and intersectional academic bell hooks.

"So Grammerly [sic] is violating the memory of bell hooks AND making AI versions of the rest of us before we're even dead," wrote researcher Sarah J. Jackson. "Someone tell me who to sue, not even joking."

Oh that's nice of them to let you ask to not steal from you

— mattcrwi.bsky.social (@mattcrwi.bsky.social) March 10, 2026 at 11:09 AM

Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of Grammarly developer Superhuman, subsequently announced on Wednesday that it was pulling Expert Review offline. However, he also indicated that the company intends to eventually bring it back in some form.

"Over the past week, we received valid critical feedback from experts who are concerned that the agent misrepresented their voices," Mehrotra posted to LinkedIn. "As context, the agent was designed to help users discover influential perspectives and scholarship relevant to their work, while also providing meaningful ways for experts to build deeper relationships with their fans. We hear the feedback and recognize we fell short on this. I want to apologize and acknowledge that we’ll rethink our approach going forward.  

"After careful consideration, we have decided to disable Expert Review while we reimagine the feature to make it more useful for users, while giving experts real control over how they want to be represented — or not represented at all."

I don't think grammarly should just get to do "sorry deleting now" after ventriloquizing living and dead people without their consent to make money

— Lydia Kiesling (@lydiakiesling.bsky.social) March 12, 2026 at 6:37 AM

"That this even existed in the first place suggests a total disconnect from normal human society," climate writer Ketan Joshi replied to Mehrotra's post. "It should've been immediately obvious that this was exploitative and creepy and cruel."

"With all the talk about how AI 'builds from" (read: 'steals') existent content, creating a tool that actually makes up 'advice' from real people who spend their lives caring about writing and expertise... it's hard to fathom," wrote the New York Times' Dan Saltzstein. "There should be consequences to this beyond 'we're going to reevaluate.' A promise to never do anything like this again, at minimum."

Class action lawsuit accuses Grammarly of using writers' identities without consent

I really can't wait to see how big the lawsuit against grammarly gets and I hope the plaintiffs sue them into complete and fundamental nonexistence. Like, "the company has to scrap their code rather than sell it as assets, and then also dissolve" nonexistence.

— Dr. Damien P. Williams can't think of a fun display name right n (@wolvendamien.bsky.social) March 11, 2026 at 12:20 PM

Though Grammarly has made no such pledge at present, it is already facing repercussions for its actions that go beyond reputational damage. New York Times writer Julia Angwin filed a class action lawsuit against Superhuman on Wednesday, having discovered that Grammarly's Expert Review had used her identity without her consent. The law firm representing her, Peter Romer-Friedman Law PLLC, has put out a call for any writers who were impacted to join the class action.

Though it isn't clear exactly how many writers' identities Grammarly allegedly misappropriated, it may be a sizable cohort. Looking at tech journalists alone, The Verge reports that Expert Review named several members of its editorial staff, as well as writers from Wired, Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Atlantic, PC Gamer, Gizmodo, Digital Foundry, Tom's Guide, and Mashable's sister sites IGN and Rock Paper Shotgun. Angwin has claimed that "lots of folks" have already made inquiries about joining the lawsuit.

"I'm taking this action on behalf of not just myself, but everyone who spent years and decades refining their skills as a writer and editor, only to find an AI impersonating them," Angwin wrote in a LinkedIn post.

"For over 100 years, New York law has prohibited companies from using a person’s name for commercial purposes without their consent," said Peter Romer-Friedman of Peter Romer-Friedman Law PLLC. "The law does not provide an exception for technology companies or AI."

Filed in a New York District Court, the class action is seeking damages as well as an injunction to prevent Grammarly from using writers' identities without their consent.

In a statement to Mashable, Mehrotra denied the allegations against Superhuman and said that the company intends to fight the lawsuit.

"As I said in my [LinkedIn] post, we believe this feature missed the mark on what both experts and users expect out of us," Mehrotra said. "We announced that Expert Review was being taken down for a redesign before the claim was filed, and in its short lifespan it had very little usage. We are sorry, and we will rethink our approach going forward.

"We have reviewed the lawsuit, and we believe the legal claims are without merit and will strongly defend against them. Regardless, there is a better approach to bringing experts onto our platform and we are working on a version that will provide significantly more benefit to both users and experts."

UPDATE: Mar. 13, 2026, 10:26 a.m. AEDT This article has been updated with a statement from Superhuman CEO Shishir Mehrotra.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To celebrate.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

REVEL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An unwanted pest.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ROACH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To dig out.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GOUGE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A small piece.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CRUMB

Final Hurdle hint

Neutral tone.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

TAUPE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.