Barry Caldwell 
OpenAI’s ChatGPT app has taken the world by storm, with its incredible conversational abilities and AI-powered technology. However, the app is currently only available in the U.S. on iOS devices, leaving many outside of the country wondering if they can download the app for themselves. While there are some chatbot apps claiming to use OpenAI’s technology, it’s important to be cautious when downloading them, as many are not legitimate and could put your personal information at risk.
One of the biggest issues with these scammy apps is that they often ask for unnecessary information and permissions, which can be a privacy risk. Before downloading any app claiming to be ChatGPT-adjacent, it’s important to check its app permissions and ensure that the chatbot doesn’t need access to your contacts or other sensitive information.
Another key factor to consider is the developer behind the app. OpenAI is the developer behind ChatGPT, so any other chatbot apps claiming to use its technology are products of other developers. It’s important to check the developer’s profile on the App Store or Google Play Store and find out more information about their company. If an app claims to be ChatGPT and the developer is not OpenAI, it’s not the real thing.
Reviews can also be a helpful tool when determining whether an app is legitimate or not. However, it’s important to take them with a grain of salt, as many fake app creators pay for positive reviews. Be sure to check out the one and two-star reviews, as these tend to be the most honest and can give you a better idea of any potential issues with the app.
One example of a scammy app is ChatOn, which claims to be powered by ChatGPT and GPT-4. While it has an average rating of four and a half stars based on around 19,000 reviews, many of the one-star reviews complain of expensive subscription prices and users being forced to buy a subscription after just one free conversation with the chatbot.
Another app, Genie, also claims to run on ChatGPT and GPT-4, but users have reported issues with the chatbot hallucinating and responding with incorrect information. Other users have had trouble canceling their subscriptions, which are charged to their cards weekly.
While OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, and Microsoft’s Bing Chat are all free to use on the web, it’s important to be cautious when downloading any chatbot app claiming to use their technology. To avoid paying a weekly or monthly fee, consider using the free and secure software available through your Safari or Chrome browser.
