FaceApp is the name of the app that went viral this week on Facebook and other social networks. Underneath all the posts of AI-generated images from the app, you'll see a lot of comments warning that those who use the app are handing over their souls to a Russian company.
That's true, but it's not unprecedented. But the internet needs "bobbins" and this week, its name is FaceApp.
FaxeApp was launched in 2017, and is not affiliated with Facebook. It is an iOS and Android app developed by Russian company Wireless Lab.
It allows you to upload a selfie that is then edited, changing your facial expression, age, and even gender. The results seem to be very convincing, judging by the images circulating on Facebook.
Although the app has been offering the aging filter since 2017, this week it went viral because someone noticed that the company is asking for full rights to the photos it edited.
The terms and conditions of the application state:
You grant FaceApp a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works for distribution.
User Content and any name, username or likeness provided in all forms developed immediately or later are not compensated.
When you post or otherwise share User Content, you understand that the User Content and any other associated information (such as your username, location, or profile photo) will be visible to the public.
The "irrevocability" mentioned in the terms of use of the application did not please many, such as Senator Chuck Schumer who wrote to the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday and asked him to deal with the application, stating:
FaceApp's location in Russia raises questions about how and when the company provides access to US citizens' data to third parties, potentially including foreign governments.
Throughout the rest of the week, we saw numerous publications on social media, magazines, and even political newspapers warning the public about the harm they could suffer if they used the app.
Many other publications seem to focus on two words: irrevocable, and Russia.
Wireless Lab, on the other hand, told TechCrunch that FaceApp only uploads photos that have been selected by users for editing and stores them in the cloud, because that's where the editing takes place. It typically deletes the images from its servers within 48 hours. The company also said that it doesn't send user data to Russia, but processes the images on U.S. cloud providers' infrastructure.
Of course, an app that asks for so many permissions in its terms and conditions should set off alarm bells for anyone who is concerned about security. However, there are terms of use for other services that may not be as aggressive (because the wording is different), but they state the same thing.
For example, although Facebook states that you own your content, the company can use your image, along with your data, in other actions you take on Facebook, with ads or promotional content.
The company may share your image with unspecified third parties. You can delete a picture of yourself on Facebook, but it will still appear if you have shared it with others.
Accuweather's privacy policy . The company lost a lot of users when researchers discovered that it was giving out location data. This happened because its policy allowed it to gather information from other devices that were nearby. The terms allowed the collection of the device's identifier and other information from wearable devices, such as your heart rate and body temperature.
Pulse and body temperature… for a weather app?
How many of you who are concerned about Wireless Lab actually read the terms of use before clicking “OK” and agreeing? Besides, how many of you who are concerned about Wireless Lab have social media accounts?
How many of you who are concerned about Wireless Lab will join the game of the cyber cold war that we see happening between the US, Russia and China?
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