New Delhi: Experts have exposed several apps as ChatGPT-based chatbots that overcharge users and bring in thousands of dollars a month, a new report showed on Thursday. According to cybersecurity company Sophos, there are many free apps that are available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, but because they offer little functionality and are constantly ad-ridden, they can cost unsuspecting users hundreds of dollars a year in subscriptions. tempted to take.
“With interest in AI and chatbots arguably at an all-time high, users are turning to the Apple App and Google Play stores to download anything that resembles ChatGPT. has been dubbed ‘fleeceware’ — often bombarded with ads until they sign up for a subscription,” said Sean Gallagher, principal threat researcher at Sophos.Also Read: Top 10 Countries With Highest Fuel Rates,
According to the report, experts examined five of these ChatGPT fleaware apps, all of which claimed to be based on ChatGPT’s algorithms. For example, the developers of the “ChatGBT” app used the name ChatGPT to boost their ranking in Google Play or the App Store. ,Also Read: Top 10 Largest Banks In India 2023,
While OpenAI provides users with basic ChatGPT functionality for free online, these apps charge anywhere from $10 per month to $70 per year.
The report says that after a three-day free trial, the iOS version of “Chat GBT”, called an AI assistant, charged developers $6 per week – or $312 per year – in March alone. After earning $10,000.
In addition, the report noted that another Fleasware-like app, Genie, which encourages users to sign up for a $7 weekly or $70 annual subscription, earned $1 million in the past month.
“While some of the ChatGPT fleaware apps included in this report have already been removed, more continue to pop up – and more are likely to appear. The best security is education. Users need to know that these apps exist And always be sure to read the fine print whenever you ‘subscribe’,” Gallagher said.