A recent report has revealed that experts have uncovered several applications based on ChatGPT technology that are involved in fraudulent activities, earning thousands of dollars per month. The cybersecurity firm Sophos has identified numerous free apps on Google Play and the Apple App Store that, despite offering limited functionality and being plagued with constant advertisements, entice unsuspecting users to subscribe for exorbitant amounts, often totaling hundreds of dollars per year.
Given the surge in interest surrounding AI and chatbots, users are increasingly relying on the Apple App and Google Play Stores to download applications resembling ChatGPT. Exploiting this trend, these scam apps, referred to as “fleeceware” by Sophos, bombard users with advertisements until they succumb to a subscription. Sean Gallagher, Principal Threat Researcher at Sophos, stated, “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. These types of scam apps — what Sophos has dubbed ‘fleeceware’ — often bombard users with ads until they sign up for a subscription.
