In a recent development, Google has filed two lawsuits aimed at safeguarding users from the increasing threat of scams and copyright infringement. The first lawsuit alleges that scammers are exploiting the growing interest in generative AI tools, deceiving unsuspecting users through ads that compromise small businesses' social network credentials.
Google’s General Counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado emphasized the rise in scams, stating, “As public excitement for new generative AI tools has increased, scammers are increasingly taking advantage of unsuspecting users.” The lawsuit points to hackers in India and Vietnam luring small business owners with ads promoting the download of Bard, an AI chatbot. Unlike ChatGPT, Bard does not require downloading; however, the deceptive ads lead users to download malware, compromising their social network accounts.
To counter these fraudulent activities, Google reported taking down approximately 300 scam-related groups since April. The lawsuit specifically targets the use of Facebook ads, pages, and postings in the scheme. After users click on the "download" link for Bard, the malware transfers sensitive account information to hackers, allowing them to take control of the victims' accounts.
Google's legal action aims to prevent scammers from establishing domains and block them for U.S. users. The lawsuit cites trademark infringement and breach of contract, stating, “Google brings this action for trademark infringement and breach of contract to disrupt Defendants’ fraudulent scheme, prevent Defendants from causing further harm to Google’s users, and raise public awareness about Defendants’ misconduct so users can protect themselves.”
The corporation views this legal move as a deterrent, with the potential to establish a clear mechanism for preventing repeat scams. Google's commitment to protecting users and small businesses is evident in its proactive approach to legal measures against emerging threats in the digital landscape.
In a separate lawsuit, Google is targeting copyright policies that adversely impact internet users and authors. The company views these legal actions as part of a broader strategy to set legal standards and protect consumers and small businesses in an evolving technological landscape.
Google issued a statement, saying, “More broadly, we hope these efforts protect and preserve the unprecedented culture of innovation in the US.” The company emphasizes that while AI fraudsters and copyright scammers seek to evade detection, effective legal action and collaboration with government officials aim to expose and prosecute wrongdoers, ensuring a safer internet for everyone.
