faceapp screen

Viral FaceApp Draws Concerns From Users About Data Privacy

The app, which is based out of Russia, was popular for its ability to make users look older. But critics say there’s a catch.

An app that uses artificial intelligence to make users look older, younger or a different gender went viral over the past week, with everyone from Kevin Hart to K-pop stars BTS posting selfies of their aged faces. 

But almost as quickly as the trend caught on, the reality of privacy concerns caught up with people who downloaded FaceApp, an application with over 80 million active users that was created by a Russia-based startup in early 2017.

Among the concerns pointed out by cybersecurity experts, journalists, lawmakers and app users alike: There was not much known about whether FaceApp uploads users’ photos to the cloud or if they had access to all photos on an individual phone even if the user had not granted access to their photo library.

The photo library issue is actually allowed in Apple’s operating system, as iOS allows users to select specific photos to upload to apps even if they did not give permission to access the entire library, TechCrunch reported.

However, the answer to the cloud issue is not as simple. FaceApp told TechCrunch and other media outlets that most of the processing that powers its transformations of people’s faces is done in the cloud.

In its statement, the company said it only uploads photos selected by the user for editing.

“We might store an uploaded photo in the cloud,” FaceApp said. “The main reason for that is performance and traffic: we want to make sure that the user doesn’t upload the photo repeatedly for every edit operation.”

The startup added that “most images” are deleted from their servers within 48 hours of the upload and that they accept requests from users who desire to have all of their data deleted from their servers. It said the company’s support team is “currently overloaded” with these requests.

In addition, FaceApp responded to concerns about the company’s location in Russia and the potential for the Russian government to access users’ facial data. Although the company’s core research and development team is located in Russia, the user data is not transferred to Russia, according to FaceApp.

“We don’t sell or share any user data with any third parties,” the statement said.

The assurances did little to quiet concerns among lawmakers and users. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the senate minority leader, sent a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission Wednesday asking for the agencies to investigate the app’s claims about its protections of user data.

Schumer pointed out that the terms and conditions that users agree to when they use FaceApp allow the company to use or publish content shared with the application, including a username or real name, without notifying or paying users.

“I have serious concerns regarding both the protection of the data that is being aggregated as well as whether users are aware of who may have access to it,” Schumer wrote.

Schumer also focused on FaceApp’s location in Russia and how the company “provides access” to the data of American citizens to third parties or foreign governments.

“It would be deeply troubling if the sensitive personal information of U.S. citizens was provided to a hostile foreign power actively engaged in cyber hostilities against the United States,” Schumer wrote.

He added: “In the age of facial recognition technology as both a surveillance and security use, it is essential that users have the information they need to ensure their personal and biometric data remains secure, including from hostile foreign nations.”

It remains to be seen how the privacy concerns will affect FaceApp’s popularity, but tech experts advise users to think more carefully about what apps they download and what information they share.

“I completely understand that it's nearly impossible to protect your data around the web,” tech journalist Charlie Warzel wrote on Twitter. “But downloading/not downloading apps is a really concrete way to protect your privacy. It's a rare situation where the user is in control.”

Featured

  • Survey: 60 Percent of Organizations Using AI in IT Infrastructure

    Netwrix, a cybersecurity provider focused on data and identity threats, today announced the release of its annual global 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report based on a global survey of 2,150 IT and security professionals from 121 countries. It reveals that 60% of organizations are already using artificial intelligence (AI) in their IT infrastructure and 30% are considering implementing AI. Read Now

  • New Research Reveals Global Video Surveillance Industry Perspectives on AI

    Axis Communications, the global industry leader in video surveillance, has released its latest research report, ‘The State of AI in Video Surveillance,’ which explores global industry perspectives on the use of AI in the security industry and beyond. The report reveals current attitudes on AI technologies thanks to in-depth interviews with AI experts from Axis’ global network and a comprehensive survey of more than 5,800 respondents, including distributors, channel partners, and end customers across 68 countries. The resulting insights cover AI integration and the opportunities and challenges that exist with regard to security, safety, business intelligence, and operational efficiency. Read Now

  • SIA Urges Tariff Relief for Security Industry Products

    Today, the Security Industry Association has sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick requesting relief from tariffs for security industry products and asking that the Trump administration formulate a process that allows companies to apply for product-specific exemptions. The security industry is an important segment of the U.S. economy, contributing over $430 billion in total economic impact and supporting over 2.1 million jobs. Read Now

  • Report Shows Cybercriminals Continue Pivot to Stealthier Tactics

    IBM recently released the 2025 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index highlighting that cybercriminals continued to pivot to stealthier tactics, with lower-profile credential theft spiking, while ransomware attacks on enterprises declined. IBM X-Force observed an 84% increase in emails delivering infostealers in 2024 compared to the prior year, a method threat actors relied heavily on to scale identity attacks. Read Now

  • 2025 Security LeadHER Conference Program Announced

    ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) – the leading membership associations for the security industry – have announced details for the 2025 Security LeadHER conference, a special event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession. The third annual Security LeadHER conference will be held Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. This carefully crafted program represents a comprehensive professional development opportunity for women in security this year. To view the full lineup at this year’s event, please visit securityleadher.org. Read Now

    • Industry Events

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.