Categories: Open Source, ChatGPT, Fraud
ChatGPT, with its exceptional conversational skills, has gained worldwide attention. Nevertheless, some people struggle to find the official ChatGPT website or app by OpenAI in the App Store, which inadvertently highlights fraudulent and risky applications. It's critical to be careful because the majority of apps that claim to use OpenAI's technology, which powers ChatGPT, are not authentic and pose potential risks to your personal data.
These counterfeit apps frequently ask for undue information and permissions, load malware onto your device post-installation, or trick you into paying high prices for worthless subscriptions. To help maintain your digital safety, here are some crucial tips to avoid accidentally downloading a malicious app.
Many of these dubious apps pose a privacy risk because the permissions they request far exceed what is required for a chatbot's operation. Before downloading an app that purports to be related to ChatGPT, meticulously scrutinize its stated permissions. Question whether there's a legitimate need for a chatbot to access your contacts or other confidential data.
It's essential to understand that OpenAI is the sole developer of ChatGPT. Therefore, any other chatbot apps found on the App Store or Google Play Store are from different developers. Before trusting an app that asserts to be ChatGPT, thoroughly inspect the developer's profile on the App Store. This allows you to learn about their company and confirm if they are affiliated with OpenAI. If an app claims to be ChatGPT but the developer is not OpenAI, it is not a genuine version of ChatGPT.
While looking through the review section, it's usual to find the highest-rated reviews prominently displayed, giving the impression that most users support the app. However, it's crucial to stay vigilant as some deceitful app developers pay for positive reviews. Occasionally, an app may flaunt hundreds of five-star reviews, swiftly convincing you of its value. Take time to delve into one and two-star reviews, as these often offer the most candid and critical feedback.
An app available on the App Store, named ChatOn, professes to be powered by ChatGPT and GPT-4. Despite garnering an average rating of four and a half stars from roughly 19,000 reviews, a significant number of one-star reviews complain about the app's expensive subscription costs. Users report being asked to buy a subscription after just a single free conversation with the chatbot.
Another app, Genie, also claims to depend on ChatGPT and GPT-4. However, users have reported instances where the chatbot provides incorrect information, an issue referred to as 'hallucination.' Moreover, some users had trouble canceling their subscriptions, which are billed to their cards weekly.
ChatGPT by OpenAI, Google's Bard, and Microsoft's Bing Chat can all be accessed for free on the internet. To avoid weekly or monthly charges, you might consider using these free and safe chatbot services directly through your Safari or Chrome browser. By accessing them through the browser, you can enjoy interactive conversations without the need to install any additional apps.