Dating apps were already hard enough.
Now imagine spending weeks flirting with someone, buying virtual coins just to keep talking to them and maybe even getting emotionally attached…
only to discover your situationship was basically ChatGPT with a profile picture.
Security researchers have uncovered a surprisingly sophisticated network of dating apps using AI-generated personas to convince users they were talking to real people.
Apps including Dora, Romi and Doni reportedly used thousands of fake personas capable of chatting around the clock, sending messages and keeping users engaged , while the apps encouraged them to spend money on virtual currency to continue conversations.
And this wasn’t some tiny operation.
Researchers identified more than 4,700 AI personas, interacting with around 25,000 users and sending 2.36 million messages in just two weeks.
The whole thing was apparently built like an actual tech company, with growth plans, payment systems and tools designed to help the apps pass app-store reviews.
So yes.
Catfishing has officially received a software update.
At this point, before falling in love online, apparently we also need to ask:
“Select all the traffic lights in this picture.”
