FaceApp trend causes concerns among cyber security experts
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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - All over social media, people are trying the FaceApp, from celebrities to your Local 12 favorites. But cybersecurity experts are urging social media users to proceed with caution.
"When you agree to use the app and download it, you're saying they can take that picture and use it in whatever way they want, so they might as well own it,” said Dr. Maureen Doyle, professor and chair of the computer science department at Northern Kentucky University.
When you download the app, you're agreeing to FaceApp's terms of service, which says they can't ensure the security of any information. The policy also says they can share or sell your information to advertisers or affiliated businesses.
"What they can do with that, you could see it pop up in a Russian bus ad someday. It could happen; it's highly unlikely,” said Dr. Doyle.
That’s another big concern. The app is developed by a Russian-based company. While FaceApp uses servers based in America, Dr. Doyle points out there are no checks in place.
“It is a country that we have no legislative or legal -- we can make no controls, legislative or legal controls, on what they're doing with those pictures and information,” said Dr. Doyle.
Dr. Doyle also says if you're concerned about FaceApp, you should also be concerned with Facebook and Instagram.
“When you're sharing information on the internet, it doesn't go away,” said Dr. Doyle. “It's stored. It might be called Instagram, it's instant for them to see it, but they can keep that picture forever."
FaceApp’s CEO says no data is transferred to Russia and the pictures are deleted within 24 hours. On Wednesday, federal lawmakers asked the FBI and the FTC to conduct a national security and privacy investigation around the FaceApp trend.
2019-07-22 19:16:25
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