In a world where technology trends are constantly evolving, scammers are always on the lookout for opportunities to exploit unsuspecting users. The rise of AI and chatbots has captured the imagination of many, and as a result, numerous applications claiming to offer similar experiences to ChatGPT have emerged on popular platforms like Google Play and the Apple App Store. However, beneath their seemingly innocent facades, these deceptive apps are far from what they claim to be.
According to a recent report titled “FleeceGPT” Mobile Apps Target AI-Curious to Rake in Cash” by Sophos X-Ops, a disturbing trend has emerged. These fraudulent apps, disguised as legitimate ChatGPT-based chatbots, have been cleverly designed to deceive and exploit users. Offering minimal functionality in their free versions, they bombard users with incessant advertisements, coercing them into subscribing to exorbitant yearly plans that can cost hundreds of dollars.
4 fake ChatGPT-like apps
It’s crucial to be aware of these impostors and their deceptive practices to protect yourself from falling victim to their schemes. Here are eight fake ChatGPT-like apps that you should avoid:
- AI Chatbot – Ask AI Assistant
Like its Android counterpart, this app offers a comparable user experience. Users are restricted to three inputs per day and are prompted to sign up for a free three-day trial once they reach the limit. Unfortunately, once the trial ends, users are automatically subscribed to a weekly fee of $6 US (or £6 for UK users).
2. AI Chat – Chatbot AI Assistant
This app replicates the user interface of ChatGPT’s mobile site, ensuring a consistent experience. However, it requests permission to track user activity across other apps and websites during installation. Moreover, users are frequently encouraged to sign up for a free trial, which automatically transitions into a subscription at a steep cost of $8 per week.
3. Genie – AI Chatbot
Genie starts by requesting users’ permission to track their activities across other apps and websites, even before its official launch. It also asks for permission to send notifications. Following these prompts, users are presented with options to enroll in a free trial or immediately subscribe to a long-term plan. The weekly subscription amounts to $7 (equivalent to $364 per year), or users can opt for a one-time payment of $70 for an annual subscription.
4. AI Chatbot-Open Chat Writer
The AI-Chatbot Open Chat Writer restricts users without a subscription to a maximum of five messages per day. However, these messages are frequently interrupted by advertising and subscription prompts, along with persistent rating requests. Despite utilizing the GPT-3 API to generate content, the chatbot truncates lengthy responses.
These additional apps, despite having different names, fall into the same deceitful category. They try on the popularity of ChatGPT by mimicking its functionalities, but they often come with hidden costs, limited functionality, and aggressive subscription models.
To stay protected from these deceptive apps, it’s crucial to rely on trusted sources and official platforms when seeking AI chatbot experiences. OpenAI generously provides the core functionality of ChatGPT for free online, making it unnecessary to pay exorbitant fees for similar services. By staying informed and vigilant, it is possible to navigate the world of AI chatbots with confidence, ensuring an authentic and secure user experience.
Source: Sophos
