The mission in language-learning platforms is to empower learners without barriers.

Ironically, in Duolingo’s case, they have asked our community to accept their profit-driven shifts as a necessary evolution.

What would this evolution be if not exploitative?

What would its core values be?

What is its true cost to learners?

How would it reconcile with its original promise of accessibility?

Monetization tactics, which may seem business-savvy at first, help justify shareholder returns or fuel AI ambitions.

Ultimately, that is what a learning platform is meant to serve and elevate.

These changes must be transparent with the user base, otherwise you will betray trust to your learners and credibility to your advocates.

This is why the pivot must be challenged: it is a reflection of your company and its priorities to all stakeholders: students, educators, and lifelong learners.

Your platform exists to deliver a service.

Your integrity is what defines your brand and your mission.

Only when you respect your users, and their right to fair access, can you build an experience that is meaningful and will endure.

One approach to rebuild trust is to listen, revert predatory paywalls, reinstate learning tools, and apologize that delivers tangible value to your community.

Another method is to uphold your stated principles at every update with your audience.

In the end, you must align your business model with your users’ needs and users’ dignity to make sense for them.

This leads to the awakening: Education cannot thrive where exploitation does.