Chinese search engine giant Baidu has filed lawsuits against both Apple and “relevant” app developers over the availability of fake copies of its Ernie bot app on Apple’s app store. Launched last month, the Ernie bot is powered by artificial intelligence and has been touted as China’s closest answer to the US-developed chatbot ChatGPT. In a statement posted on its official “Baidu AI” WeChat account, the company said that it had lodged lawsuits in Beijing Haidian People’s Court against the developers behind the counterfeit applications of its Ernie bot and the Apple company.
Baidu has warned that the Ernie bot is only available to users who have received access codes and that until the company makes an official announcement, any Ernie app that is available on the App Store or other stores is fake. The company also posted a photograph of its court filing on WeChat. Despite Baidu’s warning, a Reuters search on Saturday found that there were still at least four apps bearing the Chinese-language name of the Ernie bot, all of which were fake, on Apple’s App Store.
The availability of counterfeit apps on Apple’s app store is not a new problem. In the past, there have been numerous cases of fake and potentially harmful apps being made available in the store. Apple has been criticized for its lack of oversight and regulation of the App Store, particularly in relation to the approval process for apps.
Baidu’s decision to take legal action against Apple and app developers over the availability of fake copies of its Ernie bot app is a sign of the growing concern over the proliferation of counterfeit apps on the App Store. The Chinese company is seeking to protect its intellectual property and prevent users from being misled into downloading fake apps that could potentially harm their devices or steal their personal information.
In recent years, China has become a major player in the development of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. Companies like Baidu are at the forefront of this trend, developing advanced AI-powered applications like the Ernie bot that are designed to provide users with an engaging and interactive experience. However, the availability of counterfeit apps on the App Store threatens to undermine the legitimacy of these companies and their products and could harm their ability to attract users and investors.
Baidu’s decision to take legal action against Apple and app developers over the availability of fake copies of its Ernie bot app highlights the growing concern over the proliferation of counterfeit apps on the App Store. The Chinese company is seeking to protect its intellectual property and prevent users from being misled into downloading fake apps that could potentially harm their devices or steal their personal information. The availability of counterfeit apps on the App Store is a problem that Apple needs to address, in order to ensure the safety and security of its users and the legitimacy of the apps that are available on its platform.
