Google Files Lawsuit Against Scammers Exploiting Bard AI Ads
Google LLC has taken legal action against scammers who are using fake advertisements to spread malware through its Bard chatbot, which utilizes generative artificial intelligence (AI). The scammers have cleverly capitalized on the public’s growing interest in AI by creating ads on social media platforms, including Facebook, that falsely promise a download of Bard. Instead of accessing the web-based and free AI chatbot, victims unwittingly download malware that steals their social media credentials.
The lawsuit, filed in California, marks the first instance of a company undertaking legal measures to safeguard its flagship AI product against fraudulent activities. Google has identified the perpetrators as operating primarily in Vietnam and India. To date, the company has submitted approximately 300 takedown requests in relation to this group of fraudsters.
What makes the scam particularly challenging is that the scammers’ profiles resemble genuine Google Bard ads, often using phrases such as AIGoogle Bard FB, Google AI, and AIGoogleBard. This causes confusion among potential victims, especially when the ad appears to originate from a U.S.-based domain.
In an effort to counter such fraudulent activities, Google is seeking an order to block scammers from establishing similar domains and requesting the cooperation of U.S. domain registrars in disabling these sites. If successful, this legal action would serve as a deterrent and establish a clear mechanism for preventing similar scams in the future.
In a separate lawsuit, Google alleges that bad actors have been exploiting the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). While this act is aimed at protecting businesses and deterring copyright infringement, the accused have used it to submit numerous false copyright claims against competitors. Consequently, these actions have resulted in significant financial losses, costing millions of dollars and thousands of employee hours.
With these legal moves, Google aims to combat online scams and protect both its users and its own proprietary technology from malicious activities carried out by individuals who seek to exploit the growing interest in AI. By taking proactive measures, Google strives to create a safer digital environment for everyone.
