Google Takes a Stand Against Scammers Exploiting AI Excitement

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital realm, where innovation is revered, scammers are quick to exploit the latest tech trends to deceive unsuspecting users. Google, one of the tech titans at the forefront of transformative technologies, is now taking legal action against scammers who are capitalizing on the hype surrounding generative AI to peddle malware.

In a lawsuit filed in California, Google accuses individuals, believed to be based in Vietnam, of orchestrating a scheme that preys on the curiosity and excitement surrounding generative AI. These scammers set up social media pages, complete with enticing ads, encouraging users to “download” Google’s generative AI service, Bard. However, the unsuspecting victims soon find themselves falling victim to a malicious trap, as the promised download delivers malware, stealthily stealing social media credentials for the scammers’ ill-intentioned use.

The lawsuit unearths the deceptive tactics employed by these scammers, who cunningly mimic affiliation with Google. They utilize Google trademarks, including Google, Google AI, and Bard, to lure individuals into the trap of downloading malware onto their computers. This malicious activity extends to promoted Facebook posts, further underscoring the scammers’ audacious attempts to distribute malware through familiar channels.

Drawing parallels to crypto scams, the lawsuit shines a light on the darker side of technology adoption. It emphasizes how the excitement and intrigue surrounding emerging technologies, in this case, generative AI, can become fodder for exploitation. The scammers, akin to snake oil salesmen of the digital age, peddle a false narrative, implying that Bard is a paid service or app necessitating a download, when, in reality, it is freely available at bard.google.com.

Google, in its pursuit of justice and protection for its users, has already submitted approximately 300 takedown requests related to these scams. However, the tech giant seeks more than mere removal of existing threats; it aims to prevent scammers from establishing future malicious domains and advocates for the disabling of these domains through US domain registrars.

Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s General Counsel, emphasizes the significance of legal action in combating such scams. Lawsuits, she notes in Google’s blog post, serve as a potent tool for setting legal precedents, disrupting the tools employed by scammers, and escalating the consequences for these bad actors.