Baidu Files Lawsuit Against Developer Ernie Bot Fake App On Apple's App Store

Baidu sued the developer of the fake Ernie app. (photo: twitter @baidu_inc)

JAKARTA - Baidu, China's largest search engine company, has filed a lawsuit against app developers "related" and Apple Inc, regarding fake copies of its Ernie bot app available on Apple's App Store.

Ernie bot, powered by artificial intelligence, launched last month, is China's closest answer to the ChatGPT chatbot developed in the United States.

Baidu said they had filed a lawsuit at Beijing's Haidian People's Court against the developer behind fake apps from Ernie bot and Apple company.

"At this time, Ernie does not have an official application," Baidu said in a statement issued on Friday evening, April 7, posted on the official WeChat account "Baidu AI".

Baidu also posted a photo of his filing in court.

"Until our company's official announcement, every Ernie app you see on the App Store or other stores is fake," the company said.

Apple has not immediately responded to a request for comment, from Reuters, on the lawsuit.

A Reuters search on Saturday 8 April found that there are still at least four apps with the name Ernie bot in Chinese, all fake, on Apple's App Store.

Ernie bots are only available to users who apply and receive access codes. In a statement, Baidu also warned about the person selling the access code.