Study finds AI chatbots directing shoppers to counterfeit retail websites
Source Summary
A study by IP protection firm Podqi tested ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity with shopping-related questions about 151 brands and found that AI chatbots recommended fake retail websites and other risky sites to users. The research, conducted over two testing periods in September, asked the chatbots questions such as where to buy specific brands and whether they ship internationally.
Why it matters
The finding demonstrates a concrete security risk for consumers relying on AI chatbots for shopping guidance, as they may be directed to fraudulent sites that could compromise personal or financial information.
