Last week everyone was posting pictures of themselves looking older or younger. They were all using FaceApp, an Android and iPhone app that uses AI to change your face to make you look older or younger, change your gender, and all kinds of different things. Then, suddenly everyone who had been posting pictures of themselves began sharing articles about the privacy dangers of FaceApp. What is true? What does FaceApp do with your pictures? Should we use apps like this? Here are the answers I found.
Your Pictures Aren’t in Russia
One of the major concerns due to political news lately is that all of these pictures have been stored by the Russians since the company that makes FaceApp is in Russia. The truth is that these pictures are stored on servers owned by Google and Amazon. Many of the photo apps you use including some of the social media apps you frequent use the same server companies to store your pictures and posts. There is no evidence to suggest that your images are being collected by the Russian government or even companies in Russia.
Your Photos are Deleted after 48 Hours
The face app privacy policies state that photos uploaded to their servers are usually deleted after 48 hours. They do state that some photos may be kept for analytical purposes but that they are not sent to the FaceApp companies. These photos are used by the artificial intelligence to make it smarter and help it do a better job of editing photos for people.
FaceApp Terms Mention Affiliate Companies and Governments
The policies of FaceApp do allow for them to give your photos to other companies “in their network.” Again, they say that this is for analysis purposes and not data tracking. They also say that they’ll give your photos to law enforcement if requested through legal means.
You Can Use FaceApp Without Giving Personal Information
The company that makes FaceApp says that 99% of their users don’t login to the app. That means there are no ways for them to have your personal or identifying information. The only thing that they collect in those cases are your photos. If you have location settings turned off for your camera then there isn’t much personal data that can be gained from the images. All they actually have is a picture of a non-identified person’s face. Also, FaceApp only uses the photos you tell it to upload. Not your whole camera roll.
“…please note that we may transfer information, including personal information, to a country and jurisdiction that does not have the same data protection laws as your jurisdiction.” FaceApp Privacy Terms
FaceApp Doesn’t Handle Data Differently than any Other Social Media Service
The only major difference between FaceApp’s privacy policies and those of Facebook and Instagram are how much terminology they use to describe them. Personal data and photos are basically handled the same way by all these companies. You may consider it more of a fair trade off for Facebook and Instagram to collect your data in exchange for the services they provide. You also may be less inclined to be worried because of Facebook and Instagram being from the United States. Either way, your data is being used in the same way by all of these companies.
Just Share Smart
These instances of public outcry about the privacy policies of an app or a company are a great time to be reminded of the importance of thinking before you share. The truth is that everything, once shared on the internet, is public domain. It belongs to every citizen of the web and not to you any more. This should govern every choice you make on every site you visit and every app you use. If you wouldn’t want the whole world seeing that photo of you, your child, or your spouse, then you shouldn’t share it. If what you are about to post as a status would put your security in jeopardy then you shouldn’t post it. If you aren’t sure about a company or an app that is asking for your personal information then you shouldn’t give them your personal info. It is very simple. Just think before you fill out an online form. Think before you share a photo. Think before you past your thoughts about anything and everything.
The issue isn’t where your information is stored. It is the fact that you share photos, phone numbers, credit card numbers, and even your social security number like it is no big deal. You don’t have to be an internet security expert, you just have to pause and think.
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS