Watch This BEFORE Using FaceApp (Warning)

Ryan Scribner
18 Jul 201907:14

TLDRThe video discusses concerns about the popular FaceApp, which allows users to see themselves aged. The creator highlights privacy issues with the app, noting that its terms grant FaceApp extensive rights to user photos without compensation. Comparisons are made to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, suggesting that the app could be a front for data harvesting, with potentially serious implications for user privacy.

Takeaways

  • 🚫 **Privacy Concerns**: The user is warned about the potential privacy issues with using FaceApp, as the app's terms of service grant it extensive rights to user-uploaded photos.
  • 🤔 **Personal Finance Influencers**: Personal finance influencers like Jeremy from Financial Education and Graham Stephan have expressed concerns about the app, which initially sparked the creator's interest in discussing the topic.
  • 📱 **App Accessibility**: FaceApp can be used without creating an account, which might lead users to overlook the importance of understanding the app's privacy policy.
  • 📖 **Terms of Service**: The terms of service state that users give FaceApp a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use their photos in any way, including for commercial purposes.
  • 🌐 **Data Usage**: There is speculation that the collected images may be used to train an artificial intelligence facial recognition system.
  • 🔍 **Research Findings**: The creator conducted research and found that FaceApp's parent company has access to user data of over 150 million people.
  • 🔗 **Similar Scandals**: The situation with FaceApp is compared to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where user data was exploited for political purposes.
  • 📸 **User Awareness**: The video aims to raise awareness among users about the implications of using FaceApp and encourages them to share this information with others.
  • 🎥 **Social Reporting**: The creator's intention is to spread the word about the potential risks associated with FaceApp through social reporting.
  • 🔑 **Account Creation**: The script mentions that creating an account on FaceApp could potentially expose more personal information, such as the user's name and location.
  • 📈 **Data Harvesting**: The app is seen as a method for data harvesting, with users unaware of how their data might be used in the future.

Q & A

  • What is the main concern regarding the use of FaceApp as discussed in the video?

    -The main concern is the privacy issue related to the app's terms of service, which grants FaceApp a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use users' photos for any purpose without compensation.

  • What does the video suggest might be happening with the data collected by FaceApp?

    -The video suggests that the data is likely being used to train an artificial intelligence facial recognition bot, and it raises concerns about the potential misuse of this data in the future.

  • How does the video compare the situation with FaceApp to a past scandal?

    -The video compares the situation with FaceApp to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where a seemingly innocent app was used to harvest personal data for political purposes.

  • What is the significance of the app's origin in the context of the discussion?

    -The app's origin is significant because it is based out of Russia, and the video raises questions about the trustworthiness and intentions of the developers with users' data.

  • What is the recommendation given by the video creator regarding the use of FaceApp?

    -The video creator recommends that viewers understand the potential risks and implications before using FaceApp and advises caution due to the app's terms of service.

  • How many users does FaceApp reportedly have according to the video?

    -FaceApp reportedly has user data on over 150 million people.

  • What is the primary reason the video creator decided not to use FaceApp?

    -The primary reason the video creator decided not to use FaceApp is due to the concerns about the app's privacy policy and the potential misuse of users' photos.

  • What does the video suggest users should do if they are concerned about the app's privacy policy?

    -The video suggests that users should read and understand the terms of service and privacy policy of any app before using it, and consider the potential risks involved.

  • What is the role of virality in the concerns raised about FaceApp?

    -The role of virality is that it helps the app to quickly gather a large amount of data from users who may not be fully aware of the implications of the app's terms of service.

  • How does the video address the general public's perception of the app?

    -The video addresses the general public's perception by highlighting that most people view the app as a fun gimmick without realizing the potential data privacy issues involved.

  • What action does the video encourage viewers to take if they know someone using FaceApp?

    -The video encourages viewers to share the information presented in the video with friends and family members using the app to make them aware of the potential privacy concerns.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Privacy Concerns with FaceApp

The paragraph discusses the personal finance community's reaction to FaceApp, a popular application that generates aged photos. The speaker expresses initial interest in using the app but becomes concerned after learning about its privacy policy. The friend who introduced the app to the speaker is wary of sharing personal data with the Russian-based company. The speaker's research confirms that FaceApp's terms grant the company extensive rights to use users' photos without restriction. The speaker compares this situation to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, highlighting the potential misuse of personal data and the lack of awareness among users.

05:02

💭 The Hidden Risks of Viral Apps

This paragraph delves into the broader implications of using free apps that capitalize on viral trends. The speaker draws parallels with the Cambridge Analytica scandal, emphasizing how seemingly innocent apps can exploit user data for undisclosed purposes. The speaker speculates that FaceApp's primary function may be a cover for data harvesting, possibly to train AI facial recognition systems. The concern is that while FaceApp has amassed data from millions of users, very few are aware of the potential risks involved. The speaker urges viewers to share this information and provides resources for further understanding.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡FaceApp

FaceApp is a popular mobile application that uses artificial intelligence to transform user's photos, typically by altering their facial features to make them appear older or younger, or applying various stylistic effects. In the context of the video, the app has come under scrutiny due to concerns about its data privacy policies and the potential misuse of user data.

💡Personal Finance Community

The personal finance community refers to a group of individuals or influencers who share advice, strategies, and discussions related to managing personal finances, such as budgeting, investing, and saving. In the video, the community includes figures like Jeremy from Financial Education and Graham Stephan, who have weighed in on the FaceApp trend and its potential implications for users' financial and personal security.

💡Data Privacy

Data privacy refers to the protection of personal information from unauthorized collection, use, or disclosure. It is a key concern in the video, as the creator discusses the potential risks associated with using FaceApp, including the app's terms of service, which grant extensive rights to user data, raising questions about how this data might be used or shared in the future.

💡Terms of Service

Terms of service are the legal agreements between a service provider and its users, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both parties. In the video, the FaceApp's terms of service are highlighted as a critical aspect that users should be aware of before using the app, as they include a broad grant of rights to the app developer, potentially allowing for the misuse of user photos and personal data.

💡Russian Advertisement

A Russian advertisement refers to a promotional campaign or material created for the purpose of marketing products, services, or ideas within Russia or to a Russian-speaking audience. In the video, it is mentioned hypothetically to illustrate the extent of the rights that FaceApp has been granted over user content, suggesting that the app could theoretically use user photos for such advertisements without any restrictions or user consent.

💡Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making. In the context of the video, there is speculation that the data collected by FaceApp, including user photos, might be used to train AI systems, such as facial recognition bots, which could have far-reaching implications for privacy and security.

💡Cambridge Analytica Scandal

The Cambridge Analytica scandal refers to a controversy involving the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, which was found to have harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent and used it for political advertising purposes. The video draws a parallel between this scandal and the potential misuse of data by FaceApp, highlighting the risks of data collection by seemingly harmless apps.

💡Viral Trend

A viral trend is a pattern or a movement that becomes widely popular and spreads rapidly, often through social media platforms. In the video, the use of FaceApp to age photos is described as a viral trend, which has led to widespread adoption of the app without sufficient consideration of the potential privacy risks involved.

💡User Data

User data refers to any information that is collected from individuals who use a particular service or product, such as an app or a website. In the context of the video, FaceApp is said to have user data on over 150 million people, emphasizing the scale of data collection and the potential for misuse, which is a central concern of the video's message.

💡Data Compromise

Data compromise occurs when personal or sensitive information is accessed, disclosed, or potentially misused without authorization. The video warns viewers about the potential for data compromise through the use of FaceApp, as users may unknowingly surrender their photos and other personal information to the app developer, opening the door for possible exploitation.

Highlights

The video discusses concerns about the popular FaceApp and its data usage policies.

FaceApp allows users to see aged versions of their photos, sparking widespread interest and use.

Influential figures in the personal finance community have also engaged with FaceApp, highlighting its reach.

The concern arises from the app's Russian origin and potential implications regarding data privacy.

The video creator initially dismisses the concerns but later finds them to be valid after further research.

FaceApp's terms of service grant the company extensive rights to user photos without time limitation.

Users have given FaceApp a royalty-free license to use their images in any way, including for commercial purposes.

The video provides a direct quote from FaceApp's terms of service to illustrate the extent of these rights.

The potential misuse of user data is compared to the Cambridge Analytica scandal involving Facebook.

FaceApp's data collection methods are suspected to be for training AI facial recognition systems.

The video creator urges viewers to be aware of the potential risks before using the app.

The video aims to spread awareness about FaceApp's data policies to help users make informed decisions.

The creator encourages sharing the video with friends and family who may be using the app.

The video concludes by providing links to additional resources for viewers to further understand FaceApp's operations.

The video serves as a warning about the potential privacy issues associated with using FaceApp.