This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
FaceApp, a viral app that shows a person's appearance at different ages, has sparked concerns over user data privacy. The app, which has gained popularity globally, including in Kenya, has been accused of harvesting user data without their knowledge.
According to the app's terms and conditions, users grant FaceApp a perpetual license to use their photos, names, usernames, and likenesses for any purpose, including commercial use. This has raised concerns over national security and privacy risks, with the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) being called upon to investigate.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a probe into the app, citing national security and privacy risks for millions of American citizens. The app's developers, Wireless Labs based in St Petersburg, Russia, have denied any probability of misusing user information, stating that they only use the photo provided by the user and store it in the cloud for performance and traffic purposes.
However, the app's terms and conditions suggest otherwise, stating that users' data may be visible to the public and that the firm may store uploaded photos in the cloud for up to 48 hours.
Renowned author Elizabeth Potts Weinten has raised concerns over the app's terms and conditions, stating that users are giving FaceApp a license to use their photos, names, usernames, and likenesses for any purpose, including commercial use.
FaceApp has become a hit on social media, with many users sharing their aged and youthful versions. However, the excitement has been short-lived, with concerns over user data privacy emerging.
