Kevin Hart

Celebs Among Users of Viral FaceApp That Adds Years to Appearance – But Privacy Concerns Linger

FaceApp has risen to popularity for its ability to age your appearance, but concerns exist over the app's security

An app that dramatically ages your appearance has gone viral, but has also sparked privacy concerns.

FaceApp, which launched in 2017, originated in Russia. Its privacy page says that it may share user content and information with businesses that are part of the same company.

Once you allow access to your phone, all of your pictures and contacts can be accessed by not only FaceApp, but also other Russian companies under the same ownership.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., found the Russian app's access to sensitive personal information so "deeply troubling" that he asked the FBI and Federal Trade Commission to start a national security and privacy investigation into the Russia-based FaceApp company. 

“Given the growing popularity of FaceApp and these national security and privacy concerns, I ask that the FBI assess whether the personal data uploaded by millions of Americans onto FaceApp may be finding its way into the hands of the Russian government, or entities with ties to the Russian government,” Schumer's letter read.

One way to enjoy the app but avoid a privacy breach is to decline the subscription offer, not grant access to your camera roll and delete the app once you are finished creating your aged self, according to CNBC.

But privacy concerns haven't stopped a host of users, including a number of celebrities such as Drake, Kevin Hart, the Jonas Brothers and Gordon Ramsay, from sharing their aged edits, which altered their original appearances by adding wrinkles and grey hair to their faces.

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Me doing a demo on #MasterChef Season 50....

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Everybody’s doing it...🤷‍♀️ @mfisher1212

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