Fake 'Sora' Apps Flood App Store After OpenAI Launch

Following the recent launch of OpenAI's invite-only video creation app, 'Sora,' a wave of counterfeit apps has appeared on Apple's App Store, cashing in on the buzz surrounding the new technology. These apps, many claiming the 'Sora' name, have managed to bypass Apple's review process, despite infringing on OpenAI's trademark.

According to data analyzed by Appfigures, more than a dozen apps labeled themselves as 'Sora'-related, with several using the name 'Sora 2'—a nod to OpenAI’s latest AI model. Notably, tech pundit John Gruber identified one of these as the 'App Store scam of the week.' These impostors, some of which had been on the App Store under different names for months, collectively racked up around 300,000 installs, with over 80,000 downloads occurring after Sora’s official release.

The apps were updated post-launch to capitalize on the surge in search interest, often by tweaking their names. Although Apple has removed many of these apps, a few remain available, potentially confusing consumers. The largest of these, 'Sora 2 – AI Video Generator,' garnered over 50,000 downloads by exploiting search terms.

Despite the crackdown, some apps continue to operate. For instance, 'PetReels — Sora for Pets' and 'Viral AI Photo Maker: Vi-sora' have seen limited success. However, an app still using the 'Sora 2' branding has managed to attract over 6,000 downloads.

These fake apps have collectively generated more than $160,000 in revenue. Apple has yet to comment on how these apps bypassed their checks or if the remaining ones will be removed. The situation highlights the challenges faced in regulating app marketplaces and protecting consumers from deceptive practices.