A chatbot is basically a program used to perform an on-line chat session through either text or voice-to-voice, instead of offering direct contact with an operator. It is a very powerful tool and can be an ideal solution for businesses looking to cut their IT costs. However, a chatbot can be misused by unscrupulous marketers who know how to use it correctly and who have built systems that can run on autopilot. These programs can pose a huge threat to users because they can delete or change the information that you post and also send messages that can be interpreted as abusive or demeaning.
Botanic is the term given to chat bots that are designed to look and act like real people. This includes chat bots designed to chat on popular social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, or on specific chat bot services such as Yahoo Messenger Bots. Botanic bots have made a name for themselves because of the ease at which they are used and the security in which they operate. Unfortunately, not all chat bots are created equal and can pose a risk to both consumers and businesses.
Botanic chat bots are generally good at getting people to engage with them and to share information with other chat users. However, some chat bots can be too genuine and actually appear to be an actual person. Some are programmed to display chat messages that mimic real conversations. These are known as “spam bots” and pose a huge problem for website owners. For example, if a spam bot receives a message from a real person that sounds threatening, the bot may reply to the message with an abusive remark. In fact, if this happens over again, the company may end up being sued for invasion of privacy.
There are also chatbot services that are deliberately designed to dupe users of their hard-earned money. Many of these bot systems are sold online, promising to help businesses with “psychological marketing” strategies. As the name implies, these bots are programmed to answer questions and deliver sales pitches without human intervention. Unfortunately, these artificial intelligence chat bot programs can be extremely dangerous because they allow unscrupulous marketers to target individuals using their computers.
The good news is that there are some measures that can be taken against these harmful chat bot programs. Companies can purchase chat bot software that is designed to detect spams. They can also make use of chat bot developers that already have measures in place to keep their chat bots from becoming a malicious entity. These measures may include the use of detecting software, the addition of blocking applications and the integration of artificial intelligence into chat application logic.
In order to prevent their chat bots from becoming a nuisance, companies should avoid allowing customers to chat on Messenger apps while they are logged on to another application. This includes apps such as Facebook Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and MySpace Chat. While chatting on one application should not cause issues, it can become problematic if a person is logged on to an application that is causing issues. It can also become problematic when Messenger users attempt to block chat Bots through the use of “chat bots” plugins.
In order to combat offensive bots, companies can employ chat moderation techniques. The most common form of moderation involves the use of language processing applications. Language processing programs can detect chat conversations that contain certain words or phrases and flag them for translation. Companies that utilize these language processing software should ensure that any messages containing these words or phrases are marked as spam. Users may also be required to provide additional feedback regarding these messages in order to maintain a positive experience with Messenger.
To prevent offensive chat bots, organizations should be careful to ask questions before permitting users to chat. This can be accomplished by encouraging conversation and giving users the ability to ask questions to clarify issues. Additionally, companies should take the time to research chat bots and specific language processing apps before allowing their employees to chat with each other through these programs.
