Highlights

• Google sues over fraudulent Bard AI chatbot downloads and malware installation.

• Lawsuit targets misuse of Google trademarks to deceive users.

• Fake Bard AI malware scam affects social media users and small businesses.

• Google’s legal action seeks to disrupt scammer operations and set a precedent.

Google has initiated legal action against unidentified individuals for promoting fraudulent downloads of its AI chatbot Bard, which, in reality, turned out to be conduits for installing fake Bard AI malware.

Google’s Fight Against Misuse of Bard AI

The lawsuit highlights the exploitation of Google’s trademarks, such as “Google AI” and “AIGoogleBard,” by the alleged scammers.

These names are reportedly used to deceive users into installing malware, which then enables the attackers to hijack social media login credentials.

The defendants, referred to as Does 1-3 in the lawsuit, have not been identified as of now.

Google’s general counsel, Halimah DeLaine Prado, stated that the lawsuit serves multiple purposes, including establishing legal precedent, disrupting scammers’ tools, and increasing the consequences for such malicious actors.

She emphasized that these scammers have misled people globally, leading Google to file nearly 300 takedown requests related to this issue.

Impact and Response

This fake Bard AI malware scam targets a wide range of victims, including small businesses and Facebook advertisers.

The scammers reportedly use social media posts and web pages to falsely advertise free downloads of Bard, a chatbot that is not available for download.

Unsuspecting users who fall for this trap end up downloading malware, which gives scammers control over their social media accounts.

FAQs

What is the nature of the lawsuit filed by Google?

Google has filed a lawsuit against anonymous individuals for promoting fake downloads of its AI chatbot, Bard, which were actually conduits for installing fake Bard AI malware. The lawsuit focuses on the misuse of Google’s trademarks, such as “Google AI” and “AIGoogleBard,” by the alleged scammers to deceive users.

What are the consequences of the fake Bard AI malware?

The fake Bard AI malware enables attackers to hijack social media login credentials, posing a significant threat to individual privacy and security. The malware primarily targets social media users, small businesses, and Facebook advertisers, gaining unauthorized access to their accounts.

How has Google responded to the Bard AI malware scam?

In response to the fake Bard AI malware scam, Google has filed nearly 300 takedown requests and initiated legal action. This lawsuit aims to disrupt the tools used by scammers, establish a legal precedent, and raise the consequences for such malicious activities.