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Is the ‘FaceApp Challenge’ Safe?

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FaceApp, which can generate altered images that make users look decades older, has become a national obsession.

The Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood and Kevin Hart have all taken the so-called FaceApp Challenge, along with tens of millions of others worldwide. But cybersecurity experts say FaceApp’s terms of service are raising red flags. “We just don’t know enough about this organization,” says author David Fergusson about FaceApp’s Russian creators.

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Over the recent weeks, social media platforms have been inundated with pictures of friends, family and even celebrities looking decades older than their actual ages. This new trend, popularly known as the ‘FaceApp Challenge’, began with the release of the AI-powered photo editing app called FaceApp. Although this app has been in existence for a while now, its recent resurgence has raised a lot of concern among users with regards to the safety of the application.

The FaceApp Challenge is a simple, yet exciting process. Users take a photo of themselves or someone else and then use the app to apply different filters that can make them look younger, older, or even change their gender. Despite the fun and entertainment that comes with this app, it is not uncommon for users to have questions about the safety of the application. Does it pose any security risks or does it access my personal data?

FaceApp is a product of a Russian company called Wireless Lab. Since the challenge went viral, concerns have been raised over privacy issues and whether the app is safe to use. The concerns stem from the app’s terms of service that give the company permission to use the images uploaded on the app for commercial purposes without the user’s consent. The terms also state that the company can collect user data such as browser history, cookies and device information, and share it with third-party advertisers.

Additionally, since the app allows users to upload their images, there have been concerns about how the company handles users’ personal information, and whether there is any possibility of data breaches or cyber-attacks.

Given that the app is developed and maintained by a company based in Russia, a country that has been associated with hacking and cyber-attacks in recent times, these concerns are valid, but it is not reason enough to blacklist the application either.

It is noteworthy that some of the concerns raised apply not only to FaceApp but also to other social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Users willingly upload their personal data on these platforms, and they are susceptible to being used by these platforms for commercial purposes. One difference is that the company doing the collecting and usage of data is known in the case of FaceApp, while in other platforms, it may be less clear.

Experts, however, advise FaceApp users to read the terms and conditions of the app carefully before joining the challenge. Users should be particular about the parts relating to data usage and privacy policies. In doing so, users will have a better understanding of what the company does with their images and data, and make informed decisions as to whether to allow the app access to their personal information or not.

In conclusion, the FaceApp Challenge may seem harmless and fun, but users should be mindful of potential privacy issues. The company behind the app has assured users that their photos and data are safe, but it is up to users to make the decision of whether or not to use it or participate in the challenge. Understanding the terms and conditions and privacy policies of all applications, including FaceApp, is essential to safeguard one’s personal information and ensure that their personal data is not used for commercial purposes without their consent.