Spyware-Plugged ChatGPT, DALL·E and WhatsApp Apps Target US Users

Are you using a fake version of a popular app? Appknox warns US users about malicious brand clones hiding on third-party app stores. Protect yourself from hidden spyware and ‘commercial parasites.’

A new report from mobile application security provider Appknox reveals a troubling trend where malicious apps are masquerading as trusted brands like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and WhatsApp.

Appknox’s investigation, which focused on US-based third-party app stores, found that these app clones range from harmless unofficial interfaces to full-scale surveillance tools. More importantly, these fakes are currently available to US users through these alternative stores.

The Advertising Deception

One such app, named DALL·E 3 AI Image Generator, was found on the Aptoide store. Appknox researchers determined that this app pretends to be an image-generation tool from OpenAI, but it has no actual AI capability.

Instead, its code only connects to advertising networks like Unity Ads, AppsFlyer, Adjust, and ...