OpenAI Rolls Out 1-800-CHATGPT For Calls And WhatsApp Text - 1

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OpenAI Rolls Out 1-800-CHATGPT For Calls And WhatsApp Text

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

OpenAI announced yesterday that users can now communicate with ChatGPT by calling 1-800-CHATGPT in the United States and Canada, or by texting the same number via WhatsApp worldwide.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Users in the U.S. and Canada can call 1-800-242-8478 to speak with ChatGPT for up to 15 minutes per month.
  • The same number is available for WhatsApp chats in text mode for users worldwide.
  • No account or login is required to contact the chatbot.

The new feature is part of the Christmas program, “ 12 Days of OpenAI, ” during which the company has been sharing updates like real-time video for ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode and its new $200 model ChatGPT Pro .

Now, on the program’s 10th day, users in the U.S. or Canada can dial 1-800-242-8478 to talk to ChatGPT’s voice model for up to 15 minutes per month. Users in other countries can message the technology via WhatsApp.

You can now talk to ChatGPT by calling 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) in the U.S. or by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number—available everywhere ChatGPT is. pic.twitter.com/R0XOPut7Qw — OpenAI (@OpenAI) December 18, 2024

OpenAI’s team shared a livestream demonstrating how users can save the number to their phone contacts and call the chatbot or text it on WhatsApp. They showcased how the feature works on smartphones, “ dumbphones, ” and even landlines and rotary phones.

“Hello again, it’s ChatGPT, an AI assistant. Our conversation may be reviewed for safety, how can I help you?,” said the chatbot when the team called for a test.

OpenAI shared two live examples demonstating how this new feature can be used over the phone: to get directions or information about a travel destination and its landmarks, and as a language coach before meeting friends and family from different cultures.

For WhatsApp, the team asked ChatGPT to provide recipes for pasta with pesto for a dinner. The chatbot provided a list of ingredients and detailed recipes. It also adapted its answers to include a vegan version of the recipe and suggested a another dish to compliment the dinner for the meat-eating participant.

Malware Disguised As BMI Calculator App Exposed On Amazon Appstore - 2

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  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

A seemingly innocuous app designed to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) has been unmasked as malware, cybersecurity researchers revealed.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • “BMI CalculationVsn” app on Amazon Appstore was identified as information-stealing malware.
  • The app could record screen activity, steal text messages, and survey installed apps.
  • The malware’s developers remain unidentified

According to researchers at antivirus firm McAfee, the app functioned as an information-stealing malware, capable of recording screen activity, accessing text messages, and analyzing installed apps on a user’s device, says The Record.

Analysis of the app on malware repository VirusTotal indicates that BMI CalculationVsn is still in active development. Initially launched in October 2024 as a screen recording application, it later transitioned into a BMI calculator, says The Record.

Its most recent update introduced the ability to steal messages, highlighting its evolving threat. The app’s creators remain largely unidentified, but McAfee suspects they have connections to Indonesia.

Cybersecurity experts also recommend employing antivirus solutions to detect and mitigate potential threats. Users are advised to exercise caution when downloading apps, even from trusted sources, by verifying developer credibility and app reviews.