By Victoria Edeme
Android’s Google Play Store and iPhone’s Apple iOS Store have been flooded with fake apps imitating OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT.
The fake chatbots had been used as an avenue for scammers who defraud unsuspecting users by asking for subscription fees, Nairametrics reported on Tuesday.
The authentic AI tool, however, is currently available on its website and is free for use.
The beta version of ChatGPT, which was launched on November 30, 2022, did not require users to pay for subscription fees.
ChatGPT only required users to create an account with a Google or Microsoft email, to enable them use the chatbot.
However, one of the fake apps on the Apple Store placed a $7.99 subscription fee for users, and had recorded several downloads.
Checks by our correspondent show that almost 10 results are produced on the Google Play Store, following a search for ChatGPT.
Some of the apps have over 100,000 downloads, as seen in the screenshot below:
At the time of filing this report, Apple and Google were yet to take action on these imitation apps.
The PUNCH has reached out to Apple Support via mail for comments on the fake apps but is yet to get feedback as of the time of filing this report.
Mail sent by our correspondent to Google Support hadn’t received a response as at press time.