Google Files Lawsuit Against Scammers in AI Chatbot Bard Malware Scam
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has taken legal action against five unidentified scammers who posed as representatives of the company’s artificial intelligence chatbot Bard. These scammers tricked unsuspecting individuals into downloading malware onto their computers, resulting in compromised devices and unauthorized access to social media accounts.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, marks the first of its kind by a major technology company and sheds light on the legal challenges emerging alongside the growing popularity of AI technologies worldwide. Scammers are exploiting the rising public interest in generative AI tools, as highlighted by Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s general counsel, in a blog post.
The scammers created social media accounts with names such as Google AI and AiGoogle, which resembled legitimate Google profiles. Through these accounts, they encouraged users to download a fake version of Bard. Upon installation, the fake software enabled the scammers to gain unauthorized access to users’ social media accounts.
Since the scammers remain unidentified, Google has followed standard cybersecurity practices by suing them as John Does. Should their identities be revealed during the discovery phase of the legal process, Google will amend the complaint accordingly to include their names.
Google’s lawsuit is based on claims of trademark infringement, as the scammers unlawfully used the company’s logo to promote their fraudulent scheme. Additionally, Google is suing for breach of contract, asserting that the scammers violated the terms of service and user agreements.
In a separate case, Google also filed a lawsuit against fraudsters who allegedly established multiple Google accounts to submit thousands of false copyright claims against their competitors. This lawsuit, also filed in the Northern District of California, states that two individuals created at least 65 Google accounts and issued fraudulent copyright infringement notices against over 117,000 websites.
DeLaine Prado emphasized that these legal actions are part of Google’s broader efforts to establish necessary legal precedents in emerging fields of innovation. The company aims to combat fraud, scams, and harassment by advocating for clear rules and regulations, regardless of the novelty of the context.
By taking legal action against scammers and fraudsters, Google aims to protect users and maintain the integrity of its AI technologies. These lawsuits exemplify the company’s commitment to creating a safe and trustworthy digital environment, ensuring the responsible development and use of innovative technologies.
In conclusion, Google’s lawsuit against scammers involved in the AI chatbot Bard malware scam signals the increasing need to address legal challenges arising from the rapid expansion of AI technologies. The company’s efforts to establish legal precedents in emerging fields of innovation highlight the importance of combatting fraud and protecting users in the evolving digital landscape.
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