MOBILE phone users have been urged to delete seven apps secretly swindling them out of thousands of pounds.
Tech experts at Sophos have identified seven of what they call “fleeceware” apps being unwittingly downloaded at a huge cost.
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The software masquerades as legitimate, ChatGBT-based chatbots – but bombard users with ads while also tying them into expensive subscriptions.
The apps are making their way on to both Apple iPhones and Android phones, popping up on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Sophos’s principal threat researcher Sean Gallagher said: “Scammers have and always will use the latest trends or technology to line their pockets. ChatGPT is no exception.
“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 often bombard users with ads until they sign up for a subscription.
“They’re banking on the fact that users won’t pay attention to the cost or simply forget that they have this subscription.
“They’re specifically designed so that they may not get much use after the free trial ends, so users delete the app without realising they’re still on the hook for a monthly or weekly payment.”
One of the suspect apps, an iOS version of ChatGBT called Ask AI Assistant, charges $6 per week, or $312 each year, after the three-day free trial – earning its developers $10,000 in March alone.
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Another, called Genie, lures users into $7 weekly or $70 annual subscriptions, bringing in $1million over the past month.
The other five Sophos urged people to avoid are GAI Assistant, AI Chat GBT, AI Chat – Chatbot AI Assistant, Genie AI Chatbot and AI Chatbot – Open Chat Writer.
The firm said the so-called “fleeceware” apps were over-charging users for AI functionality already available online for free.
Mr Gallagher added: “These apps are often poorly written and implemented, meaning app function is often less than ideal even after users switch to the paid version.
“They also inflate their ratings in the app stores through fake reviews and persistent requests of users to rate the app before it’s even been used or the free trial ends.
“More continue to pop up — and it’s likely more will appear. The best protection is education.
“Users need to be aware that these apps exist and always be sure to read the fine print whenever hitting ‘subscribe’.
“Users can also report apps to Apple and Google if they think the developers are using unethical means to profit.”
And artificial intelligence research laboratory OpenAI has launched a free-to-use iOS app for ChatGPT and vowed that an Android version is coming “soon”.
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