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AI chatbots direct shoppers to risky fake retail websites, study finds

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

A recent study by Podqi revealed that popular AI chatbots like Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT are directing users to risky websites, including fake retail sites and those selling counterfeit goods. The study found that Perplexity displayed such sites in 15% of its responses, ChatGPT in 8%, and Google's Gemini in 4%. While AI companies market these tools for shopping assistance, this tendency poses a significant risk to consumers, especially with the upcoming holiday season when shoppers may rely more heavily on AI for product discovery and purchases. AI

IMPACT Raises concerns about consumer safety and trust in AI shopping assistants, potentially impacting adoption rates for e-commerce applications.

RANK_REASON Study on AI chatbot performance and safety [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=1.0]

Read on The Verge — AI →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

AI chatbots direct shoppers to risky fake retail websites, study finds

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71 / 100
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Study on AI chatbot performance and safety [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=1.0]
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product, safety
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High
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Breaking (< 6h)
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. The Verge — AI TIER_1 English(EN) · Mia Sato ·

    AI chatbots are recommending fake retail websites, study finds

    Shoppers using AI chatbots to research products or find places to buy items could be directed to imposters and other risky websites, a new study found. The study conducted by IP protection firm Podqi and shared exclusively with The Verge prompted ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity w…

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