diff --git a/backend/druks/contrib/software_factory/subscribers.py b/backend/druks/contrib/software_factory/subscribers.py
index 2ed927cb..da453a18 100644
--- a/backend/druks/contrib/software_factory/subscribers.py
+++ b/backend/druks/contrib/software_factory/subscribers.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ async def policy_push_reprofiles_the_repo(*, repo: str, paths: list, **_: object
             await Profile.dispatch(project_repo, refresh_only=True)
 
 
-@subscribe("pr.review_submitted")
+@subscribe("pr.review_submitted", payload__author_can_write=True)
 async def pr_review_answers_the_gate(*, repo: str, pr_number: int, payload: dict) -> None:
     item = await WorkItem.get_for_pr(repo=repo, pr_number=pr_number)
     if item:
diff --git a/backend/druks/core/webhooks/github.py b/backend/druks/core/webhooks/github.py
index 0ddb95a8..71e1b2b7 100644
--- a/backend/druks/core/webhooks/github.py
+++ b/backend/druks/core/webhooks/github.py
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ async def on_pull_request_review_submitted(self) -> Response:
                     "branch": pull_request["head"]["ref"],
                     "action": action,
                     "reviewer": sender["login"],
+                    "author_can_write": review["author_association"] in _WRITERS,
                     "body": review["body"] or "",  # body is nullable on an approve
                 },
             )
diff --git a/backend/tests/software_factory/test_lane_reactions.py b/backend/tests/software_factory/test_lane_reactions.py
index 3d436b8d..165dd63c 100644
--- a/backend/tests/software_factory/test_lane_reactions.py
+++ b/backend/tests/software_factory/test_lane_reactions.py
@@ -113,7 +113,13 @@ async def _push(self, status):
     assert pushed == [TicketStatus.IN_PROGRESS, TicketStatus.IN_REVIEW]
 
 
-async def test_pr_review_answers_through_the_review_gate(druks_db, monkeypatch):
+# On a public repo any GitHub account can approve; only a writer's review answers.
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("action", "author_can_write"), [("request_changes", True), ("approve", False)]
+)
+async def test_pr_review_answers_through_the_review_gate(
+    druks_db, monkeypatch, action, author_can_write
+):
     item = await make_test_work_item(
         repo="acme/widget", title="t", source="linear", ticket_key="ACME-9"
     )
@@ -146,22 +152,15 @@ async def answer(subject, **reply):
         pr_number=item.pr_number,
         payload={
             "branch": item.branch,
-            "action": "request_changes",
+            "action": action,
             "reviewer": "alice",
+            "author_can_write": author_can_write,
             "body": "Please split the migration.",
         },
     )
 
-    assert answers == [
-        (
-            item,
-            {
-                "action": "request_changes",
-                "reviewer": "alice",
-                "body": "Please split the migration.",
-            },
-        )
-    ]
+    reply = {"action": action, "reviewer": "alice", "body": "Please split the migration."}
+    assert answers == ([(item, reply)] if author_can_write else [])
 
 
 async def test_pr_open_reaches_the_work_item(druks_db):