Google LLC has initiated legal proceedings against three anonymous individuals, accusing them of orchestrating a sophisticated malware distribution scheme under the guise of offering upgrades to Google’s AI chatbot, Bard. The lawsuit, filed on November 13, 2023, in the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, identifies the defendants as “Does 1-3,” reflecting Google’s current lack of specific identification.
Google alleges that the perpetrators have been exploiting the company’s trademarks, particularly those related to its AI products like “Google, Google AI, and Bard.” By creating misleading social media profiles and pages that mimic Google’s branding, these individuals have reportedly been luring victims into downloading malware. The fraud involves invitations to download free copies of Bard and other AI tools, purportedly from Google.
One striking example provided by Google includes a screenshot of a bogus “Google…
