It appears that ChatGPT, despite its initial promise, is being exploited for less-than-honorable purposes, creating a challenge for users of dating apps.
Nearly a year has passed since ChatGPT made its debut in public preview. During this time, we’ve witnessed a proliferation of generative AI tools aimed at alleviating the burden on workers and enhancing workplace efficiency. However, a darker side to AI’s capabilities has surfaced, marked by an uptick in reports of AI involvement in cyberattacks. The latest scheme, dubbed ‘LoveGPT,’ is not your typical catfishing scenario with a fake profile. LoveGPT takes the art of deception to a whole new level, using an AI chatbot to engage in authentic-sounding conversations and produce convincing messages.
While the concept of catfishing is far from new, this latest rendition of the scam has been around for over a decade. However, LoveGPT’s integration with OpenAI has elevated it to a new level of sophistication. Distinguishing between a real person and a bot in the world of dating apps has become an increasingly complex task.
Several popular dating apps have fallen victim to this AI-driven deception, including Ashley Madison, Badoo, Bumble, Craigslist, DuyenSo, Facebook Dating, likeyou.vn, MeetMe, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, Tagged, Tinder, and Zoosk. LoveGPT’s ability to mimic human interaction is compounded by the common advice for users to maintain their communications within the app for safety reasons, making it even more challenging to ascertain the true nature of their potential match.
For those who suspect they might be entangled in a LoveGPT deception, there are some telltale signs to watch out for. It’s advisable to perform reverse image searches on account pictures to ensure their uniqueness. Caution should be exercised when sharing personal information, a practice best avoided in the early stages of any online interaction.
In a broader cybersecurity context, it’s always wise to follow generic best practices, such as refraining from divulging personal details to someone you’ve recently met, particularly in the digital realm.
