Faceapp privacy, is there such a thing? Crazes come, crazes go, most just harmless and fun. Faceapp is all about facial recognition. This alone should give you pause.
Faceapp gives users the ability to apply Ai generated filters to their image. You can make yourself look older or younger at the touch of a button. While this is definitely fun, it may be worthwhile considering why it is free to use.
Always consider in mind what you are giving away before you tap install. This applies to all apps!
We understand you can upgrade the package for additional cost. This can still be a drop in the ocean of income the company may receive from target-based advertisers.
Faceapp Privacy
We had a quick read through the app’s privacy policy.
FaceApp’s privacy policy says nothing at all on what would happen to your data should you stop using the service.
Apart from the fact your face is plastered all over the app, what other information is taken?
- IP address
- ISP provider
- The Browser you use
- The first time you visited the site
- Which pages you visited
The policy itself is short therefore does not divulge too much information.
Known third party ad companies you are giving your facial image to:
OnlyforPC.com (clicking on the maybe for sale banner not advised, it was blocked by our security)
Google adsense – If adverts are involved you can be sure Google are there somewhere.
Also uses doubleclick dart cookies – This places a cookie on your computer (targeted ads) The privacy policy provides a link so it can be opted out of:
https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/enterprise/
Unfortunately, clicking does nothing more than show you a Google page.
This privacy policy does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers. Most of the privacy policy explains who gets to see this information. They are all targeted-ad based. Basically, meaning they may have sold your information to the highest bidder…
Another bone of contention. Other journalists question what happens to the images uploaded and stored off your device.
The Lowdown
We wont go into the fact that it reinforces the binary stereotype, or that the AI had been trained for caucasian facial recognition. This is more about privacy.
Understand, the images of you are incorrect, because you will never look just like that. These are merely fantastical imaginings. The question is the sudden reappearance from nowhere of this app. The app itself was originally released in 2017. Our best guesses point towards a paid marketing push via social media. There is nothing new or revolutionary here, moving along.
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