Baidu files lawsuit against Apple and app developers for fake Ernie bot apps
Chinese search engine giant Baidu has taken legal action against Apple and “relevant” app developers over fake copies of its Ernie bot app, which is only available to users who apply for and receive access codes. The AI-powered Ernie bot was launched in February as China’s answer to US chatbot ChatGPT.
Baidu warned people not to purchase access codes and stated that “until our company’s official announcement, any Ernie app you see from App Store or other stores are fake.” Despite this, Reuters found at least four apps bearing the Ernie bot’s Chinese name in Apple’s App Store.