Latest News

  • Home
  • Global
  • FaceApp: Chuck Schumer asks for FBI investigation
FaceApp: Chuck Schumer asks for FBI investigation
Friday, July 19, 2019 IST
FaceApp: Chuck Schumer asks for FBI investigation

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has called for an investigation into FaceApp, which alters users' photos to make them look older or younger.

 
 

In a letter posted on Twitter, Mr Schumer called it "deeply troubling" that personal data of US citizens could go to a "hostile foreign power".
 
Privacy concerns have been raised about the Russian company which developed the app after it went viral in recent days.
 
FaceApp has previously denied the allegations.
 
Wireless Lab, a company based in St. Petersburg, says it does not permanently store images, and does not collect troves of data - only uploading specific photos selected by users for editing.
 
"Even though the core R&D team is located in Russia, the user data is not transferred to Russia," a company statement reported by news site TechCrunch said.
 
Mr Schumer however has asked that the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigate FaceApp.

 
 

"I have serious concerns regarding both the protection of the data that is being aggregated as well as whether users are aware of who may have access to it," his letter reads.
 
 
"It's not clear at this point what the privacy risks are, but what is clear is that the benefits of avoiding the app outweigh the risks," security officer Bob Lord reportedly told staff.
 
The company says it has about 80 million active users.
 
In 2017 FaceApp sparked widespread criticism for a feature allowing users to alter someone's ethnicity in selfies. The company later apologised and withdrew the filter.
 

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
'Worse than prison': A rare look inside China's detention camps to 'brainwash' Muslims

ALMATY: Hour upon hour, day upon day, Omir Bekali and other detainees in far western China's new indoctrination camps had to disavow the...

Recently posted . 199K views . 1 min read
 

 Article
What The Shape Of Your Belly Button Says About Your Health

If you have payed attention to the belly buttons of people on the beach or the members of your family, you have probably noticed that they have different shapes and...

Recently posted . 8K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
Top 10 Horrifying Acts of Chemical Warfare and Gas Attacks

In this age of terror, there might be nothing more terrifying than the thought of an attack carried out with chemical weapons. We’ve all heard the horrific ...

Recently posted . 3K views . 4 min read
 

 Article
Top 10 Best Gym Equipment Brands in India 2018

Body fitness is one thing that everyone wants to maintain irrespective of age. Going to the gym and doing some great exercise always helps to maintain your body fit...

Recently posted . 3K views . 2 min read
 

 
 

More in Global

 Article
NASA’s new website shows how space tech impacts everyday lives

NASA has launched an interactive website that allows users to tour through buildings to discover common items that the space agency helped improve -- such as wate...

Recently posted. 812 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Students overstaying their tenure in US are not welcome

MUMBAI: US President Donald Trump's administration has issued a draft policy late on Friday, that seeks to crack down on students overstaying i...

Recently posted. 611 views . 2 min read
 

 Article
Who is Jonathan the Tortoise, the Oldest Known Living Animal on Earth?

Jonathan, the tortoise's age was estimated so because records say he was 'fully mature' when brought to Saint Helena in 1882.

Recently posted. 583 views . 0 min read
 

 Video
5 Top Kitchen Tips



Recently posted . 939 views
 

 Reviews
The Best 5 Camping Tents in India 2018 – Reviews & Buying Guide



Recently posted . 1K views . 99 min read
 

 Article
Bitcoin Not Useful for Terrorists, Expert Tells US Congress

Despite scattered reports and fears about crypto’s potential use in facilitating terror activities, multiple bitcoin fundraising attempts have failed and cash...

Recently posted. 613 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Pakistan rolls out first batch of dual-seat fighter jets manufactured in collaboration with China

To mark the occasion, a grand ceremony was held at the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory in Kamra near Islamabad on Friday, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said in a st...

Recently posted. 689 views . 1 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

Although difficult, change is always possible. What holds us back from making the changes we desire are our own limiting thoughts and actions.
Anonymous

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top