The buzz around cool tech stuff like generative AI sometimes feels like the wild west, and unfortunately, there are some not-so-nice folks taking advantage of the confusion. Google is taking a stand against scammers who tricked people into downloading what they thought was an exclusive version of Google’s Bard AI software. But guess what? Instead of a friendly chatbot, this sneaky Bard was packed with nasty malware.
So, what’s the deal? The lawsuit, just filed in California, is pointing fingers at individuals in Vietnam. These scammers set up social media pages and ran ads, urging people to download this fake Bard. But here’s the kicker – instead of giving you tips on cooking risotto or whatever, this version sneaks into your system and swipes your passwords and social media details. And guess which platform they loved using? Yep, good old Facebook.
Google tried the polite way first, sending over 300 takedown requests. But when that didn’t cut it, they pulled out the big guns – a lawsuit. Surprisingly, they’re not after money; they just want these tricksters to stop creating similar fake domains, especially using US-based domain registrars. Google hopes this will scare off others and create a solid way to stop these scams in the future.
The lawsuit also shines a light on how new tech can be a playground for bad actors. In this case, the scammers lied, saying Bard was a paid service you had to download. Truth is, it’s a free web service.
