OpenAI’s recent release, Sora, has rapidly gained attention, leading to a wave of counterfeit apps on Apple’s App Store. Following the invite-only launch of the AI video generator, numerous fraudulent applications emerged with deceptive titles, attempting to capitalize on OpenAI’s popularity. As reported by TechCrunch, over a dozen apps using the ‘Sora’ name appeared shortly after the official unveiling. Analytics firm Appfigures noted that many of these apps were simply rebranded versions of previously dormant applications that were hastily updated to include Sora-themed names for visibility. Some even bore titles like “Sora 2,” referencing the underlying video model to manipulate search results and lure unsuspecting users.
The genuine Sora app, accessible solely through invitations, achieved an astonishing milestone by surpassing one million downloads faster than OpenAI’s earlier success, ChatGPT. This remarkable achievement has also attracted opportunists looking to benefit from the hype. One particularly aggressive clone, “Sora 2 – AI Video Generator,” garnered over 50,000 downloads within days of the official launch. In total, the counterfeit Sora apps accumulated nearly 300,000 installs across both iOS and Android platforms, including over 80,000 downloads post-release of the legitimate app. Disturbingly, these imitation apps generated around $160,000 in revenue before Apple acted to remove several of them.
Nevertheless, some impostors continue to operate, such as “PetReels — Sora for Pets” and “Viral AI Photo Maker: Vi-sora,” which remain available but are struggling to gain traction. Another clone, “Sora 2 – Video Generator Ai,” has managed to accumulate over 6,000 downloads despite its dubious status. This incident has reignited scrutiny over Apple’s App Review process, with critics questioning how multiple fake applications using the trademark ‘Sora’ passed through Apple’s approval mechanisms. While OpenAI has yet to comment on the impersonations, Apple has also refrained from addressing the issue of why so many fraudulent apps were validated and whether others will be removed soon.
Tech commentator John Gruber referred to one of the impostors as the “App Store scam of the week,” pointing out the overt nature of these imitations. His remarks highlight increasing concerns about the adequacy of app store moderation, particularly during significant tech launches that attract widespread interest. The influx of fake apps reflects a similar scenario seen during the early stages of ChatGPT, but experts note that the scale and speed of Sora’s imitators are even more pronounced. As OpenAI continues to expand its presence in consumer AI, the Sora phenomenon serves as both an innovative breakthrough and a cautionary reminder regarding the negative aspects of technological virality.
Users are advised to remain vigilant, as any app claiming to provide open access to Sora is likely a counterfeit, given that the authentic version is still invite-only.