Is FaceApp safe and can I use it for free?

FACEAPP has been popular for several years now, with it still winning over tech fans with its amusing old age filter.

The app, which launched in 2017, uses machine learning - also known as artificial intelligence (AI) - to change the way people look in photos.

Users can edit their photos to make themselves look older, or younger, or like a person of another gender - often with hilarious outcomes.

Is FaceApp safe to use?

Many people, including politicians in the US, grew concerned with the app's popularity over privacy and it being based in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 2019.

When users sign up to the app, they give FaceApp access to their photos so they can upload the images they want.

In doing so, many thought that the app would upload all its users photos onto Russian servers.

However, the head of threat intelligence and security at cyber company Avast, Nikolaos Chrysaidos, has tried to ease fears over the app.

An investigation by Avast found FaceApp was not sending users’ sensitive data back to servers.

“I see no sign of the app invading privacy in nefarious ways,” Chrysaidos said.

“While it’s true that the app is collecting data and photos in the way it functions, that kind of risk comes with many apps like this.

“People hear AI, privacy, and Russia and are understandably concerned. But taking a step back to look at the facts shows this is not a major cybersecurity issue.”

The app is not vastly different from many other popular photo-based apps, including Instagram, Facebook and VSCO.

“This isn’t a malicious app, but it is one of many apps that raise privacy issues,” Chrysaidos added.

“This isn’t an urgent issue, but it is a prevalent one. Companies producing apps should be more transparent about their use of data, and responsibility also lies with consumers.

"It’s yet another reminder to practice better overall cybersecurity on your mobile device.”

However, there is fresh concern over how the app can be used to create 'deepfakes' - a video or picture of a person who has been digitally altered to appear as someone else.

Can I use FaceApp for free?

Some filters are free, such as the popular old age filter.

But to unlock all the features, users need to sign up for a subscription.

How much is FaceApp a month?

A monthly subscriptions costs $3.99 (£3.35) a month.

Although, users can get two other types of memberships: annual and lifetime.

The annual subscription fee is $19.99 (£16.70), while the one-payment only lifetime subscription costs $39.99 (£33.40).

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