1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Some VERIFY viewers wondered if the photo editing app NewProfilePic has ties to Russia, and asked about its privacy policy. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Since publication of this article the app has added in-app purchases. The Dailymail interviewed a Global Cybersecurity Advisor that said the app can capture your face in high resolution and questions why an app would want this much data, especially in another country. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, LINEROCK INVESTMENTS may offer to provide the Services, as described more fully on the Site and in Mobile, which are selected by you, solely for your own use, and not for the use or benefit of any third party. Moore told VERIFY: People have formed trust over many years with the likes of Facebook and Instagram but when a new app goes viral, it is advised to minimize the amount of data shared where possible and reduce the number of permissions granted. The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. READ MORE:If it came to it Moscow couldn't stop NATO nukes and Putin knows it, "We understand that due to the current events in Ukraine, any connection to Russia could raise suspicions.". Me and my work bestie were just playing with this app, Josten pointed out. Kathleen Polezhaeva from the company said it is based in the British Virgin Islands and has development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Warnings issued over New Profile Pic app that may send your personal information to Russia, Hurricane Ian insurance checks are coming with a scary warning, New device allows dogs with separation anxiety to video call their owners, City leaders discuss plans with property owners to revitalize Midtown Fort Myers, Car noise pollution regulations may be coming to Collier County, Boat dumped on side of road in Lehigh Acres, Island Coast baseball prepares for new season after making history, winning state title, Cape Coral mother warns others after daughters accidental fentanyl overdose. The app is available on Google Play and the AppleApp Store. The app is proving incredibly popular online, offering the chance to turn a photograph of users into attractive, highly-stylised cartoon-style images. In response to a one-star negative review about privacy concerns on the app the company, insisted users photos are not sent to Moscow. But security expert Mr Moore warned: "Before people upload photos or other personal data to a brand new website, they must carry out their own due diligence where possible. If you are going to download these types of apps to have fun on social media platforms whether its Facebook or othersmaybe not use your true cell phone, he said. They also collect data on the user from other companies and combine it with their own dossier. Kathleen Polezhaeva from the company said it is based in the British Virgin Islands and has development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. This is one example: We have not been able to confirm or disprove that this actually happened. The company behind the app denies any wrongdoing. MailOnline has approached Apple and Google for a comment. ), We reached out to Google, Apple, and the user who posted the above-displayed message, and we will update this article if more information becomes available. Everything seems to be controlled by Andersen The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. As people posted photos from this new app, a piece of mobile software that uses artificial intelligence to create profile pics that look as if they had been painted, messages started circulating on social media claiming that this app was some sort of Russian malware scam. They simply remove the app afterwards (which does not stop the subscription) and get charged after the trial is over. However, some experts believe that the service, which utilizes facial-recognition technology, is sending users' photographs and data to the Kremlin, per the Daily Mail. Snopes says the app, though, was developed by a company in the British Islands and some of their international developers live in Russia. I think Facebook has a lot more info than TikTok does. On both Google's and Apple's app store, the developer's location is listed as being Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. May 11, 2022, Victor Sazhin, Instagram post, Feb. 20, 2022, Kristina Lunina, spokesperson for Linerock Investments Ltd., May 12, 2022. We have never had an office there. WebFor over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. Registered in: Not identified. Its requested app permissions are similar to other mainstream apps. Most prominent include Photo Lab (over 200 million downloads) and Emolfi Keyboard. The inclusion of a person or entity in the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database is not intended to suggest or imply that they have engaged in illegal or improper conduct. Russia Recent changes: We want Photo Lab to be your little secret tool for great photos, that's why we keep improving it 24/7. The website of the app, newprofilepic.com is in Moscow. The apps owners told Snopes that the company never had an office in Russia, but lawyers at Andersen Business Services who registered it do have an address on 20006, Florida People should certainly be aware that they are granting this amount of access to companies when they download their apps. 33701 The Standard has reached out to Google Play and Linerock Investments ltd for comment. Despite the app's popularity, recent claims online question the app's data collection, privacy policies and ties to Russia following a story from the British tabloid Daily Mail with the headline: Russia after YOUR personal data? In 2017, a St Petersburg-based company released FaceApp, which allowed users to upload a photograph which would be aged using Artificial Intelligence. The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists had already included Linerock Investments Ltd on its Offshore Leaks database, showing the firm's registered address was in Central Moscow, The app offers users the opportunity to create quick digital avatars of themselves. WebLinerock Investments LTD [email protected] Website Palm Grove House, P.O. This app comes from a company in the British Virgin Islands that uses an international team of developers, some of whom reside in Russia. Discover best apps & games for you from over 6,000,000 apps. Some information may have changed over time. We need a full body, or torso. According to Snopes data gathering, the website was actually showing its registration in Florida. The spokesperson said: The address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. After, The Daily Mail and others reported the app was created in Russia. In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts. The privacy policy lists what their apps can access. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. But Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security told MailOnline that people have to be incredibly careful when uploading photographs or personal data to a brand new website. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Medic bags distributed to West Virginias EMS workforce, Millions of dollars and hundreds of orange barrels, Best Virginias Flowers to play at Wheelings first, Ohio Valley man part of rare disease clinical trial, Mayor Elliott says business will be booming when, No umps when Orioles and Pirates play unneeded bottom, Wheeling Central Headed To The State Tournament, Aiden Davis Sets Records As Park Advances. By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion. Facebooks privacy policy is similar. Explaining how the technology works, the App developers said: 'Whenever you choose an effect that involves face manipulations we use special face recognition technologies to detect a photo; find required facial key points, and apply the effect to your photo. St. Petersburg, FL Washington, DC You can download a raw copy of the database here. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. It is also worth reiterating that this app didn't come from a new company, and New Profile Pic isn't their first app. The outlet reports that the company behind the app is called Linerock Investments Ltd, which according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, is registered in Moscow. "We did not and do not plan to have any affiliation with any governmental organizations of any country.". In May 2022, a new profile pic app, officially named "NewProfilePic Picture Editor" in the Apple Store and "NewProfilePic: Profile Picture" in the Google Play store, shot to the top of mobile charts with hundreds of thousands of downloads. Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. I saw a lot of my friends from high school and family posting photos of themselves in this portrait, sort of like painting mode, said Maria Combe. The app can Linerocks headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists offshore leaks database shows that Linerock Investments Ltd has an address in Moscow and is also 727-821-9494. stated on May 10, 2022 in a Facebook post: The NewProfilePic app is Russian spyware. While this app does collect some user data, its privacy policy isn't out of the ordinary. A person can also change the settings on their Android or Apple phones and choose what the app is or isnt allowed to track. However, it seems that the app's website is registered to Linerock Investments, which is based in Moscow not far from Russia's Ministry of Jake Moore, a cybersecurity advisor with European cybersecurity company ESET, told VERIFY via email that people should be mindful of what permissions they give to new applications. NewProfilePic does not store users accounts or any personal information, Polezhaeva told VERIFY. Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! Polezhaeva told VERIFY Linerock Investment LTD was founded in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. 1800 I Street NW one Facebook post warned. Linerock Investments, LTD is a private company. INTERNET users are being warned about the New Profile Pic app as it may be harvesting their personal info, one expert has claimed. Let it be different, always new and made by AI! "Regardless of where they are based, I would always err on the side of caution when handing over sensitive data as once it has gone it is virtually impossible to gain control of it back.". TikToks privacy policy also says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. Snopes suggests that theres little evidence that this new app is more harmful than other apps that collect any data and suggests that its permissions are similar to apps such as TikTok and Instagram. 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