Avast has discovered a dark side of ChatGPT that could affect dating app users.
It’s been almost a year since ChatGPT entered public preview, and since then we’ve seen the rise of hundreds of generative ones AI tools designed to take pressure off employees and make the workplace more efficient.
There are also increasing reports of AI being used in cyber attacks. This latest scam, called ‘LoveGPT’, appears to be catfishing those looking for love.
LoveGPT is catfishing for dating app users
Avast says the scam is much more than a traditional catfish with a fake profile, as the AI chatbot can engage with victims and even produce authentic-looking messages.
The company noted that this scam has been around for over a decade, but the latest OpenAI integration has taken it to the next level and knowing whether you’re dating a person or a bot has become a lot harder to spot.
Apps known to be affected include Ashley Madison, Badoo, Bumble, Craigslist, DuyenSo, Facebook Dating, likeyou.vn, MeetMe, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, Tagged, Tinder and Zoosk.
Identifying a bot is made even more difficult by the fact that users are encouraged to keep communication within the app to protect themselves from attacks until they deem it safe to take their dating to the next level.
There are a number of things victims can do if they suspect they are being catfished by LoveGPT, including looking for account photos with reverse images to ensure they are unique and tired of oversharing personal information from either party.
It’s also good practice to take broader and more general cybersecurity measures, such as never sharing personal information with someone you’ve just met.