A podcast host named Gage, co-host of All Things The Podcastsparked controversy after revealing how he exploited McDonald’s feedback system to get nearly 100 free meals. In a 2024 episode, he admitted to collecting discarded receipts from tables, then using their unique codes to submit fake negative reviews via McDonald’s online surveys.
Podcast Host Uses AI to Fake McDonald’s Complaints, Faces Backlash
Gage explained that McDonald’s encourages customers to fill out surveys by offering incentives like meal vouchers. Instead of positive feedback, he used ChatGPT to generate fabricated complaints about bad experiences, such as a poorly made Big Mac, keeping the text under 1,200 characters. He even advised enhancing the responses manually to make them seem more convincing before sending them to McDonald’s customer service. According to him, this tactic usually results in free meal vouchers arriving within 12 hours.
However, social media backlash was swift and strong. Critics argued that this scheme harms real employees because each complaint is linked to a specific time-stamped receipt, which affects staff performance scores and overall restaurant ratings. These scores can influence employee bonuses and management evaluations, meaning false complaints could unfairly damage workers’ income and job security.
Ethical Concerns Raised Over AI Abuse in Customer Feedback Scam
Many users condemned Gage’s actions as unethical, accusing him of abusing the feedback system meant to improve customer service. They warned that exploiting AI tools like ChatGPT to deceive companies for personal gain sets a dangerous precedent. The story has sparked ongoing online discussions about the misuse of artificial intelligence and the ethical responsibilities of consumers and content creators alike.
Summary:
Podcast host Gage exploited McDonald’s feedback system by using ChatGPT to create fake complaints from discarded receipts, securing nearly 100 free meals. This unethical scheme sparked strong social media backlash, as false reviews harm employees’ performance scores and income, raising concerns about AI misuse and consumer responsibility.
