Who else is getting spammed with the latest generation of "I'd like to make art for your fic" comment on AO3 that turns into a relentless attempt to get your e-mail or Discord contact information?
I'm on round #3, and AO3 definitely recognizes this rigmarole as spam -- probably intended to get financial information using some excuse like a commission. It screams AI. The comments now come from Registered User accounts, and instead of leading with an offer of art like the previous generation of guest comments, they reference some element of the fic like a character's name. If you reply, then you get the art come-on and the request to talk on e-mail or Discord; the first time, I suggested a Tumblr DM, and the reply just pushed again for the same contact info without any link to the presumed "artist's" work or other details you'd expect.
AO3 circulated a Tumblr post about the first generation of this crap, but I have not yet seen an update. If you get a fawning, generic comment from an unfamiliar Registered User that feels a little off-kilter -- as if they didn't actually read the fic -- click on the username before replying, especially if it ends in a string of numbers. You're likely to find a recently established account with no works, bookmarks, or other profile details -- just a name and maybe an avi. And if you've answered a comment from a new "reader" out of courtesy and promptly get the push to send your contact info, DON'T interact further. You can ignore the comment and AO3's spam detectors seem to track it down within a day, or you can file an abuse report.
I hate talking to robots when I call my doctor, my Internet provider or my power company, but I *really* hate having them try to fish me for personal information on AO3. Be alert and stay safe out there.
