FaceApp Gives Users Glimpse Of Older Self Amid Privacy Concerns
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) - FaceApp, the popular aging filter that has rapidly regained popularity in recent weeks, has responded to concerns over privacy, and use of customers' data.
The app, originally released in 2017, found new life after celebrities began posting photos with the aging filter applied. The company now boasts more than 80 million users worldwide.
But now, a growing chorus of cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates are advising users to say "nyet" to the FaceApp, over its terms of service, which hasn't been updated since 2017.
According to its privacy terms, FaceApp says, among other things, it cannot guarantee your data or information is secure. The policy also states the company can share user information with other companies and third-party advertisers, the names of whom are not disclosed in the fine print.
FaceApp, is owned by Wireless Lab, a small startup based in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Ahmed Banafa, an engineering professor at San Jose State University, has been examining the app's performance on a secondary phone that contains no personal information, and called its aging algorithm "excellent". But Banafa believes the app was created as bait to draw in users to unwittingly open up their smart phones to Russian operatives.
"It's not just getting your pictures. They say we can access your contacts, information, whatever, even the cookies in your phone. So when you download the app, you're opening your device for them to just harvest everything," said Banafa.
FaceApp responded to privacy concerns in a statement to Techcrunch https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/17/faceapp-responds-to-privacy-concerns/ that says in part:
"...We accept requests from users for removing all their data from our servers...We don't sell or share any user data with any third parties...Even though the core R&D team is located in Russia, the user data is not transferred to Russia."
Nonetheless, San Jose State student Reena Dosanjh says the app is still fun and engaging.
"If I heard about a lot of people having their pictures being shared without their consent, then I would definitely delete the app," said Dosanjh.
"If you can live without it, do that. But it's not worth the risk of the privacy and information uploaded to their servers," said Banafa.
