Is Grammarly Safe? A Complete Explanation of Risks

Grammarly is one of the most popular writing assistants on the market today. Millions of users rely on it to check grammar, spelling, and tone across their communications. But a question often arises: Is Grammarly safe?

This isn’t just an idle curiosity. Users like IT admins, compliance teams, and privacy-conscious professionals want to know whether Grammarly poses risks to their sensitive data. They also have concerns about organizational compliance and overall cybersecurity.

The short answer is that Grammarly is generally safe, but there are nuances. Like any cloud-based SaaS application or browser extension, its safety depends on how it’s used, how versions are managed, and how risks are mitigated.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Grammarly’s data collection, security measures, compliance risks, history of incidents, and how to protect yourself. We’ll also show you how to evaluate Grammarly, or any SaaS app or extension, objectively.

What Is Grammarly, and How Does It Work?

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant delivered as a web editor, desktop apps (Windows/macOS), mobile keyboards (iOS/Android), and browser extensions (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari).

Once installed, Grammarly can check everything you type across supported platforms, including

1. Emails in Gmail or Outlook.
2. Documents in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
3. Social media posts and blogs.
4. Messaging applications.

When you type in a supported app, Grammarly analyzes the text to suggest grammar, spelling, clarity, tone, and rewrite improvements. Depending on your settings and plan, it can also provide plagiarism detection, brand tone, and team style guides.

How Grammarly Processes Text

1. Client-side capture: The extension or app identifies editable text fields in the page/app you’re using.
2. Secure transmission: Text snippets and context are transmitted to Grammarly’s cloud for analysis (scope depends on settings and exclusions).
3. Model inference: Grammarly’s NLP/LLM models analyze the text for grammar, clarity, tone, and other checks (e.g., plagiarism for subscribers).
4. Return suggestions: Suggestions appear inline; you accept or ignore them.
5. Telemetry & diagnostics: Usage/diagnostic metadata may be collected to improve performance and reliability.

This workflow inherently involves transmitting what you type to a third-party service. So you must decide which data is appropriate to route through Grammarly and which is not.

The Versioning Problem: Why Each Grammarly Version Needs a Separate Review

One of the biggest overlooked risks with SaaS apps and browser extensions like Grammarly is versioning.

Apps like Grammarly frequently update their software. While updates are meant to patch bugs or introduce features, they can also unintentionally or maliciously introduce risks. For example,

1. A compromised update could insert malicious code without the vendor’s immediate knowledge.
2. A third party could publish a fraudulent extension that looks identical to Grammarly but behaves differently.
3. Even legitimate updates may request broader permissions that create new risks.

This is not theoretical. In December 2024, Cyberhaven, a respected cybersecurity company, suffered a massive breach when attackers compromised their software update process. Customers who dutifully updated their tools were unknowingly opening a back door for attackers.

That’s why it’s critical to evaluate the specific version of Grammarly being deployed, not just “Grammarly” as a whole.

Action Plan

1. Inventory versions in your environment (per browser and OS).
2. Assess each version with Spin.AI’s application risk assessment.
3. Track change logs and permission diffs between versions.
4. Pin or stagger updates for high-risk groups. Pilot before organization-wide rollout.
5. Continuously monitor for reputation changes or new findings.

A Breakdown: What Data Does Grammarly Collect?

Grammarly’s published privacy policy documentation lists multiple categories of data the service collects and processes. Important categories include:

Text Data (content)

• The words you type into the Grammarly editor or into text fields where Grammarly is active are processed to generate suggestions.
• Grammarly says it avoids certain sensitive fields (e.g., password fields) but otherwise must analyze text to function.

Account & Profile Data

• Name, email, organization domain, subscription tier, billing info (for paid plans)
• Team/workspace configuration (enterprise)

Device, App, and Session Data

• Browser/OS type and version, app version, device identifiers, and IP ranges
• Crash logs, performance metrics, and feature usage

Telemetry/Metadata

• Error categories, suggestion acceptance rates, and frequency of use
• Potentially inferred patterns (e.g., usage hours, document length ranges)
• Telemetry, used for debugging and product improvement

Behavioral Data

• In some configurations, activity and usage patterns are used to optimize suggestions or features.

Because content is processed in Grammarly’s cloud, anything typed into an inspected field may be transmitted. So even if the company does not intend to store sensitive content long-term, temporary processing and associated metadata are part of the attack surface.

Compliance Risks With Grammarly

For organizations in regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal, etc.), compliance is often a bigger concern than functionality. Grammarly users may inadvertently create risks under frameworks such as:

1. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 establishes a set of standards to protect sensitive health information. Grammarly is compliant with HIPAA security, privacy, and breach notification rules.

Grammarly’s public materials indicate it supports certain enterprise controls and can enter into business associate agreements (BAAs) under some conditions, but these are not unconditional. Organizations handling PHI should confirm a signed BAA and specific controls.

2. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) / CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

Grammarly publishes GDPR and other privacy compliance statements and provides subject-rights options, but data residency, transfer, and subprocessors still matter for compliance teams.

3. Contractual or IP Risk

Sending drafts of proprietary code, confidential contracts, or trade secrets through an external NLP service can violate internal policies or third-party NDAs. Legal teams should evaluate use cases.

For regulated or highly confidential workflows, treat Grammarly as “conditionally allowed” and require explicit exceptions, contracts, or isolation.

4. SOC 2

Grammarly has completed SOC 2 (Type 1) and SOC 2 (Type 2) examinations and received corresponding reports. These examinations validate that Grammarly meets the strict SOC 2 standards for security, availability, confidentiality, and privacy of our customers’ data.

5. SOC 3

Grammarly’s SOC 3 report is a publicly available version of the SOC 2 (Type 2) report. To learn more, view the System and Organization Controls (SOC 3) Report.

Grammarly’s Requested App Permissions (By Platform)

Like most apps, Grammarly needs certain permissions to function across different platforms. These permissions control what the app can access on your device, such as the text you type, the websites you visit, or specific system features. They are directly tied to how Grammarly provides suggestions. Understanding them makes it clearer what data Grammarly can interact with and where potential risks may arise.

Browser Extensions

1. Read/modify content in web pages you visit (to analyze text and render suggestions).

2. Communicate with Grammarly’s servers.

3. Optional clipboard or download access where features require it.

4. Site access scopes (all sites vs. specific sites; on click vs. automatically).

Desktop apps (Windows/macOS)

1. Accessibility/typing overlay permissions to read text in applications.

2. Network access to connect to Grammarly’s service.

3. Auto-update permissions (version control risk consideration).

Mobile Keyboards (iOS/Android)

1. Full-access keyboards may transmit typed input for suggestion generation.

2. Network access for cloud suggestions may be limited in local-only modes.

These permissions are necessary for Grammarly to provide real-time writing feedback across platforms. However, they also mirror the same permissions that malicious browser extensions exploit. Attackers often disguise malware as legitimate tools by asking for broad permissions. This is why version-level risk assessment is crucial.

Security Measures Grammarly Uses

Grammarly implements several security controls:

1. Encryption: TLS encryption for data in transit and AES-256 for data at rest.

2. Bug bounty program: Partnerships with security researchers to identify vulnerabilities.

3. Zero-access design: Sensitive authentication details (like payment information) are tokenized and not accessible to Grammarly employees.

4. SOC 2 (Type II) certification: Ensures compliance with recognized security frameworks.

These measures show that Grammarly takes security seriously, but as with any SaaS tool, vulnerabilities can still emerge, especially through updates.

Risks of Using Grammarly

Even with strong security measures, Grammarly carries risks:

1. Data exposure: Sensitive information could be processed in Grammarly’s cloud.

2. Compliance violations: Use in regulated industries may breach HIPAA, GDPR, or internal confidentiality rules.

3. Malicious extensions: Fraudulent or compromised versions could bypass Grammarly’s safeguards.

4. Insider threat: If Grammarly accounts are compromised, attackers may gain access to stored documents or settings.

5. Third-party access: Service providers working with Grammarly increase the potential attack surface.

6. Over-broad permissions: “Read and change data on all websites” is risky by default.

7. Supply-chain/version risk: A single compromised update can flip risk overnight.

8. Shadow IT & sprawl: Unmanaged installs across browsers/devices bypass central controls.

9. Lookalike/malware risk: Fake Grammarly apps/extensions can harvest credentials and data.

Is Grammarly a Keylogger or a Security Threat?

One common concern is whether Grammarly functions as a keylogger. By definition, a keylogger records everything a user types, often for malicious purposes. Grammarly does not operate as a traditional keylogger, but the concern arises because it captures typed input to provide suggestions:

• Keyloggers are malicious programs that secretly record every keystroke.

• Grammarly only processes text in active writing fields to provide feedback.

Grammarly states it does not monitor password fields or sensitive system entries. Still, from a technical perspective, Grammarly does behave in ways that resemble keylogging. It monitors text input and transmits it to external servers.

The distinction lies in intent and transparency. Grammarly is a productivity tool, not malware. But organizations should still treat it with the same caution as any app that processes typed content.

Has Grammarly Ever Been Hacked? Security History and Risks

To date, Grammarly has not reported a major breach involving widespread compromise of user data. However, in 2018, a security researcher discovered a vulnerability in Grammarly’s Chrome extension that exposed authentication tokens.

This flaw could have allowed attackers to hijack accounts. Grammarly patched the issue quickly, but the incident highlighted the risks of browser extensions.

More recently, in 2023, Salt Security uncovered a broader OAuth implementation flaw affecting thousands of websites, including Grammarly. This vulnerability could have enabled credential leakage or account takeover under certain conditions, though Grammarly promptly addressed the issue after disclosure.

Researchers have shown in their work on malicious browser extensions, even legitimate apps can become compromised if attackers inject code or exploit version updates.

What Users Can Do to Protect Themselves

If you decide to use Grammarly, here are the steps to reduce risks:

Classify Data

Decide which data types may be processed by Grammarly.

Scope Deployment

Use managed browser policies, domain allowlists/denylists, and separate profiles.

Assess Versions Before Rollout

• Go to Spin.AI’s free application risk assessment.

• Search for Grammarly and review the risk details for the specific version you plan to deploy.

• Compare versions across browsers/OS. Take note of permissions and behavioral changes.

Pilot, Then Expand

Test with a small group, monitor logs, and capture feedback.

Limit Extension Scope in Chrome

Restrict site access to necessary domains rather than “all sites.”

Educate Users

Explain when/where Grammarly is allowed and how to disable it on sensitive sites.

Watch the Ecosystem

Track campaigns and ecosystem threats with this 2025 malicious browser extension tracker and related research on malicious browser extensions.

Contractual Protections

If you must process regulated data, ensure a BAA or equivalent is in place and confirm where data is stored and how it is deleted.

Does Grammarly Collect My Personal Information?

Yes, Grammarly collects personal information, though the extent varies depending on how you use the app. According to Grammarly’s privacy policy, they collect

1. Personal account details: Name, email address, and payment information for premium plans.

2. Usage data: Device type, browser type, IP address, operating system, and app version.

3. Text input data: The content you type, which Grammarly analyzes to provide suggestions.

Grammarly notes that it does not permanently store all text you type. Instead, it processes input in real-time and may temporarily cache snippets for analysis. However, metadata and diagnostic data are often retained for product improvement and troubleshooting.

Does Grammarly Share Your Sensitive Data With Third Parties?

Grammarly states that it does not sell your personal data. However, it does share certain data with trusted third parties for the following purposes:

1. Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal).

2. Cloud infrastructure services (e.g., Amazon Web Services).

3. Analytics and performance monitoring tools.

Although these are standard practices, third-party integrations increase the overall attack surface. If one vendor is compromised, your data may be indirectly exposed.

What Grammarly Does and Doesn’t Store

While specifics can change by feature and version, Grammarly’s data handling generally falls into two categories: information that is commonly stored or retained, and information that is processed temporarily and not stored long-term.

Commonly Stored or Retainable

• Account/profile/subscription data.

• Documents you explicitly save in Grammarly’s editor.

• Settings, style guides, dictionaries, and team policies.

• Diagnostic logs and usage analytics (metadata).

Commonly Not Stored Long-term

• Ephemeral text processed solely to generate inline suggestions (unless a feature requires retention or you save content).

Does Grammarly Collect Metadata and Diagnostic Data?

Yes. Grammarly collects metadata, including document length, error frequency, feature usage, and diagnostic logs. While this may not include raw content, metadata can still reveal patterns about your writing behavior and professional activity.

For example, metadata could indicate how often a legal team drafts contracts or how frequently a student writes essays. This type of information may pose compliance risks if shared or accessed by unauthorized parties.

How to Keep Your Grammarly Account Secure

Users can take these steps to enhance Grammarly's security:

1. Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of protection against account takeover.

2. Limit use in sensitive contexts: Disable Grammarly on platforms where you handle PHI, financial data, or confidential corporate documents.

3. Review permissions: Check which browsers and devices Grammarly is installed on.

4. Monitor account activity: Review Grammarly account login history for unusual access.

How to Enhance Your Privacy When Using Grammarly

Privacy-conscious users can further reduce risks by:

1. Using Grammarly’s desktop app instead of the browser extension when possible (fewer third-party interactions).

2. Excluding sensitive sites from Grammarly’s monitoring.

3. Regularly clear cached data and revoke permissions.

4. Reviewing Grammarly’s privacy settings to minimize data sharing.

How to Delete Your Personal Data From Grammarly

If you want to remove your data, Grammarly allows users to:

1. Sign in to your Grammarly account.

2. Go to Account → Privacy or Account Settings.

3. Request data export (optional) and/or data deletion.

4. For enterprise users, please contact your administrator. Deletion may be governed by corporate retention policies.

5. Confirm completion and verify removal of the extension/app from devices if you’re offboarding.

This action complies with GDPR’s “right to be forgotten” but may limit future use of the tool.

Is Grammarly Safe to Use on Different Devices?

Grammarly is available across:

• Browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox).

• Desktop (Windows, macOS).

• Mobile (iOS, Android).

Each platform has unique risks. For example, browser extensions face higher exposure to malicious updates, while mobile apps rely on permissions that may grant broader access to device data. IT admins should evaluate risks per platform and control deployments accordingly.

Can Grammarly Access Everything You Type?

Grammarly can access text fields in supported applications. However, it does not work in

• Password fields.

• Certain secure websites (e.g., banking logins).

Still, users should assume Grammarly has broad access when enabled, making it important to disable the app in contexts involving sensitive data.

Final Verdict: Is Grammarly Safe?

So, is Grammarly safe?

For most casual users, yes. It’s generally secure and trustworthy. Grammarly can be safe if you treat it like any other powerful data processor. Safety depends on what you send to it, how tightly you control permissions, and how rigorously you monitor version updates.

For consumers and many business use cases, sensible configuration and hygiene are sufficient. For regulated data, keep Grammarly out of those workflows unless you have an airtight policy coverage and vendor assurances.

The most reliable way to answer “Is Grammarly safe?” is to test and verify:

1. Run Spin’s assessment: Research Grammarly (by version) in the free application risk assessment.

2. Operationalize controls: Use SSO/MFA, extension policies, domain blocklists, data classification, and version pinning.

3. Stay informed: Track extension threats with the 2025 malicious browser extension tracker.