What to know about FaceApp after aging filter goes viral
If you've been on social media in the last 24 hours, you've probably seen a lot of photos of older people, only to realize the photos actually show what your friends and their kids might look like decades from now.
They're creating the images using the "old" feature of an app called FaceApp. Here's everything to know:
What is FaceApp?
FaceApp is a mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to alter your face in photos. The free features include adding a smile, changing your hairstyle and making yourself look older or younger.
Where does FaceApp come from?
FaceApp was developed by a small team in Russia and has been a popular photo editing app for years.
It went viral in 2017 for a very different reason: its "ethnicity filter." The company removed the option to make your face different races after critics called the feature racist.
Why are people talking about it now?
These types of apps tend to rise and fall in popularity in waves, according to TechCrunch. This particular wave of popularity, which has seen it rise to the top spot on the iTunes chart, has been fueled by celebrities such as the Jonas Brothers and Drake joining in.
How does FaceApp's aging filter work?
To access the aging filter that has gone viral, download the app and take a photo of yourself or whoever you want to age. Then select "age" and then "old" and wait for the photo to process.
What are the privacy concerns?
According to the privacy policy, which has not been updated since 2017, the app "cannot ensure the security of any information you transmit to FaceApp or guarantee that information on the service may not be accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed."
In light of the app's recent bump in popularity, there were some concerns that the app might be uploading your entire camera roll to a server. A Forbes investigation found that this was not the case but that the photos you upload for the app to alter were being uploaded to a server. If this type of thing concerns you, Forbes warned, you probably want to take a look at the privacy policy on all of your apps.
SEE ALSO: Protect yourself: Every internet user should know these basic online privacy tips
