Google has taken legal action against a group of online scammers suspected of utilizing its logos to perpetrate a scheme targeting public interest in artificial intelligence. This move marks a notable effort by a major technology company to address the rising prevalence of AI-related online scams.
In its complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Google seeks the shutdown of various Facebook pages that scammers are using to deceive individuals interested in Google's AI tools. The scammers, believed to be based in Vietnam, operate pages with names like "Google AI," "AIGoogle," and "AIGoogleBard," employing Google's logos, marketing colors, and images of CEO Sundar Pichai to lend credibility to their deceptive advertisements and posts.
The victims, expecting to download promised versions of Google's AI tools, instead receive a malware-laden browser extension upon clicking the links. This extension is designed to steal stored login credentials, posing a significant threat to individuals' online security.
Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google's general counsel, emphasized the importance of legal action and collaboration with government officials to address AI-related fraud, stating that such measures help place scammers within the purview of justice and contribute to a safer online environment.
This move by Google reflects a broader trend of major technology companies turning to copyright law as a tool to combat various online crimes. Other instances include Microsoft and cybersecurity firm Fortra employing copyright law to eliminate unauthorized copies of the security tool Cobalt Strike.
In a separate copyright infringement complaint, Google targeted scammers allegedly responsible for setting up numerous Google accounts to submit fraudulent copyright claims against competitors. This action resulted in the removal of over 117,000 third-party website URLs, highlighting the multifaceted approach tech companies are adopting to address online threats.
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