NewProfilePic does not store users accounts or any personal information, Polezhaeva told VERIFY. While this app requests permission to access certain data on your phone, these requests aren't unusual. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The app then asks for permission to access photos and media on the device. VERIFY reached out to the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of publication. The claim that this app was connected to Russia or the Kremlin was based on screenshots that supposedly showed how the website newprofilepic.com had been registered in Moscow. View our online Press Pack. Hands down the best. It is true that the apps domain was initially registered in Moscow. In each of these examples, including NewProfilePic, the privacy policies state information could be collected from other third-party, or outside and unaffiliated, applications and shared with those third-party applications. Many people and entities have the same or similar names. The only purpose of this is to speed up any further processings of the same photo., Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security told MailOnline: "This app is likely a way of capturing peoples faces in high resolution and I would question any app wanting this amount of data, especially one which is largely unheard of and based in another country.". Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ellie Bamber, Salma Hayek and Olivia Wilde lead the red Do not sell or share my personal information. Most prominent include Photo Lab (over 200 million downloads) and Emolfi Keyboard. Last 365 Days. WebLinerock Investments LTD We know everything about easy photo editing and provide innovative still handy mobile applications and web tools to users all over the world Photo There are concerns over a new app that is turning new profile pics into works of art. Google Play App Store / Linerock Investments ltd, You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. We have never had an office there. A person uses their smartphone in London, England, Aug. 9, 2021. The New Profile Pic app allows users to upload photos and edit them to look like paintings or cartoons. Some social media users claimed the app was stealing data in a criminal fashion. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, Thank you for signing up for our newsletter! One of its shareholders is based in Panama City, while a director is also based in Russia. This is one example: We have not been able to confirm or disprove that this actually happened. Let it be different, always new and made by AI! The app is proving incredibly popular online, offering the chance to turn a photograph of users into attractive, highly-stylised cartoon-style images. Some VERIFY viewers wondered if the photo editing app NewProfilePic has ties to Russia, and asked about its privacy policy. 'We understand that due to the current events in Ukraine, any connection to Russia could raise suspicions.'. Overall, we estimate that Linerock Investments LTDs apps have collected about 300 million installs, 6 million of them in the last 30 days. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. A persons contact list could be accessed and the app could collect visual information through the images that you upload, including your profile photos. The apps domain was formerly registered in Moscow because the founder once lived there. The BBC will suspend the 159-a-year licence fee for two days so people can watch EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Could Nicola Sturgeon return the Stone of Scone for King Charles's coronation as one of Just 11 MINUTES of brisk walking each day is enough to slash your chances of dying early, study reveals. According to the The company behind the App is called Linerock Investments Ltd, who according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks Since publication of this article the app has added in-app purchases. Our app is being developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Case Summary. Something went wrong, please try again later. 801 3rd St. S NewProfilePic was created by a mobile development group called Informe Laboratories Inc., and copyrighted by Linerock Investments Ltd., said Kristina Lunina, a Linerock Investments spokesperson. Users can bypass that and head to the apps home screen, which includes a "choose photo" button. Hundreds of thousands of people have uploaded high-quality pictures of their faces to the New Profile Pic app in order to get a modified profile picture to use on social media. The spokesperson said the app stores are crowded with similarly named apps, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases. 1800 I Street NW Youve seen the new Facebook craze on your timeline, where people are swapping their profile picture with a new cartoon-like avatar? The fact-checker also claims the money taken out of peoples bank accounts has been unconfirmed. I personally was born in USSR in Moscow and moved to Krivyi Rih [Ukraine] being two months old. It has told MailOnline it is based in the British Virgin Islands 'with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus'. The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to turn your profile picture into artwork, but it is raising concern among cybersecurity experts over its Russian links. Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' While it may be a concern for some, Elle Josten said she isnt worried. "The NewProfilePic app lets you change your user image style as often as you want. WebLinerock Investments LTD [email protected] Website Palm Grove House, P.O. Snopes reported that the companys The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. Registered in: Not identified. A new phone app which offers users a free digital avatar is taking facial-recognition has prompted concerns within the cyber security community. For other inquiries, Contact Us. The Daily Mail reported that this app was developed by a company "overlooking the Moscow River three miles from Red Square," insinuating a connection between this app and the Kremlin. Users have been updating their profile pictures with a new image created by the app - unaware their information is being sent to a company registered in Russia. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. ? Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. "Although most people will not question the possibilities of anything untoward occurring from simply uploading a photo, the amount of data taken under the radar can often be far more than the user intended on sharing which can cause security and privacy problems. The domain registrant is not Linerock Investments Ltd, but its founder. 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. But Linerock Investments Ltd, the company behind the app has denied any wrongdoing. These companies are also behind the popular apps "Photo Lab Picture Editor & Art" and "ToonMe - cartoons from photos," two apps that collectively have millions of reviews, the vast majority of which are five stars. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. Thebank that won't pass on rate rises unless you ring and ask:Just one of the ruses greedy lenders use to Tory Eurosceptics could take TWO WEEKS to decide whether to back Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal for Northern BBC journalists vote 'overwhelmingly' to stage series of strikes in move that could sabotage corporation's More snow and ice could batter Britain next week: Met Office warns Arctic blast from Greenland could send Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? We have never had an office there. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock Investments Ltd is based in Moscow. They said images are sent to Amazon servers to apply the effects, are not visible to anybody and are deleted after two weeks. "We may also obtain information from other companies and combine that with the information we collect on the Services.". While it's unclear if the app and website are even affiliated, Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security told MailOnline that users need to be cautious when uploading photographs or personal data to a new website. We looked into each of these claims and found that they were largely without merit or unsubstantiated. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Apple will pay customers $700 for a slowed-down iPhone. "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.". The app's promotional material states: "The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. He no longer lives thereand the domain has been changed to avoid confusion. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists offshore leaks database shows that Linerock Investments Ltd has an address in Moscow and is also Linerock Investments, LTD is a private company. The app is available on Google Play and the AppleApp Store. So, are hackers from halfway around the world really stealing your data and your face with this app? In early May, NewProfilePic, an application that uses artificial intelligence technologies to stylize your social media profile picture, shot to the top of the charts on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries, Polezhaeva said. The archive had a timestamp of 08:07:36 that day. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. The company's data policy states: "We collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. On both Google's and Apple's app store, the developer's location is listed as being Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. We reached out to Linerock Investments for more information, and a spokesperson told us that, previously, the domain was indeed registered in Moscow because the company's founder had lived there. Our Apps are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS [and] Microsoft Azure servers located in the US. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. Read more, The Offshore Leaks data is current through 2010, The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Andersen Business Services, Inc. Frunzenskaya Nab., 40 Moscow, 119270 Russia. 1. Trump tweeted about his return to Twitter on Nov. 19. It is misleading and some users download several apps to get the effect and in some they may activate the trial via the paywall. An Instagram post dated Feb. 20 from NewProfilePic founder Victor Sazhin said he was born in Russia. Others claimed it was based in Russia and connected to the Kremlin. From the privacy policy: For example, we collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register, set up an account, contact us by e-mail or use our services.. The app has more than 150 million users, according to the Google and Apple app stores. 'The address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. We need a full body, or torso. Learn More . In response to a one-star negative review about privacy concerns on the app the company, insisted users photos are not sent to Moscow. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. MailOnline has approached Apple and Google for a comment. According to Polezhaeva, the domain name for www.newprofilepic.com, the website affiliated with the app, was originally registered by an attorney with Andersen Business Services, Inc., which has an office in Moscow. TikToks privacy policy also says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform. Youve probably seen it sweeping across your social media feeds. Case Details Parties Documents Dockets. WebLinerock Investments, LTD | 91 followers on LinkedIn. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "In this ever changing world, why stick to one profile pic on your social media? 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. This is necessary to apply all those fancy effects driven by AI technologies., App developers, describing how the technology works, 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., They added: The detected key points may be kept along with the photo on our servers for up to two weeks from the last interaction with the photo. 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. 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. Please contact us if you find an error in the database. She said the firm was only in the Russian capital as that was the former home of the founder of the company, who has now moved. ", Lula's staff infiltrated and caused damage while the Brazilian Patriots cleaned up., Ray Epps confessed to Jan. 6 Committee he orchestrated attack on Capitol, Tee Higgins "isn't even leaving the hospital till he knows (Damar) Hamlin is OK.", Video shows Sen. John Kennedy telling Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, You will be impeached., The Federal Reserve has suspended the availability of new currency.. Internet users have been warned against using a free new photo avatar creator, The website for for the company is registered in Moscow, Russia, according to the who.is database, The firm offers high quality digital avatars if people are willing to upload a photograph to their computer servers, The developers use special recognition technology to pinpoint required facial key points to apply the effect to the photograph. "We collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register.". The permissions listed in the above-displayed image aren't out of the ordinary, in terms of what many popular mobile apps do. 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. The records cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 200 countries and territories. 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. The number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. Now you know it, update and enjoy. The domain registrant is not Linerock Investments Ltd, but its founder. Its from a Russian based company and there are already reports of them wiping out bank accounts.". By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion. It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. Joan Rivers was killed for revealing that Barack Obama is gay and Michelle Obama is transgender. The apps developers do have some ties to Russia, but not as extensive as some have claimed. stated on February 19, 2023 in an Instagram post. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. One person shared a screenshot of the requested app permissions and wrote: "DO NOT download the NEW PROFILE PIC.COM APP it takes all your information and sends it to Moscow!!!!!!!". (WTRF) UPDATE: Snopes has provided an update regarding the NewProfilePic app. The app does not ask for that information. Although there currently is no evidence to indicate that New Profile Pic is a scam, you should always do your due diligence with new apps. By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion. 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.". Last 90 Days. The app developers explain: "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.". PolitiFact researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this fact check. Creators of photo editing apps. We suggest you confirm the identities of any individuals or entities included in the database based on addresses or other identifiable information. Linerocks headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The concern is that the app may contain dangerous Russian malware. Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security told MailOnline : "This app is likely a way of capturing people's faces in high resolution and I would question any app wanting this amount of data, especially one which is largely unheard of and based in another country.". The number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. Picsart is not a Linerock app but is comparable to other photo and video editing apps like NewProfilePic. We found thats true, except for a key difference TikTok and Instagram both ask for permission to access peoples contact lists to connect users with their friends on the apps. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, We need your help. On 05/12/2022 Williams filed a Personal Injury - Other Personal Injury lawsuit against Linerock Investments, LTD. Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Faucis gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. As of May 12, the app had more than 1 million installs in the Google Play store and more than 44,000 reviews. WebLinerock Investments Ltd. The timestamp when VERIFY archived the page was 20:37:52. Web1. The case status is Pending - Other Pending. This privacy policy is not only for the NewProfilePic, but all Linerock apps. A spokesperson for the app told us that while the screenshots showing charges may be real, they didn't come from the New Profile Pic App as the app, as of this writing, is "absolutely free and it does not contain in-app purchases so it does not require any payment information of the users.". Always cite the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists when using this data. Access to the services. Nevertheless, your photos (or any other data) are NOT sent to Moscow. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. The best seat in the house! WebFor over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. Several VERIFY viewers reached out to ask if the app is safe to use and what connections it has to Russia. The spokesperson said: We are a BVI company. Published: 11:32 GMT, 11 May 2022 | Updated: 18:02 GMT, 12 May 2022. 'This app is likely a way of capturing peoples faces in high resolution and I would question any app wanting this amount of data, especially one which is largely unheard of and based in another country. Polezhaeva confirmed the domains registered address was changed at some point on May 11. Elle Josten of Cape Coral created numerous pictures of her six-month-old son. The app can That post, along with others, quickly spread on social media, and the Daily Mail also reported on the claim. Social media posts claim the NewProfilePic app accesses peoples banking information and contact lists and sends them to Russia. A spokesperson for the app told Dailymail that they do not share user information. Lip reader reveals what Prince Charles said secretly at Opening of Parliament, Michael Gove put on silly voices as he discussed cost of living crisis, King 'evicts Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage and offers it to Prince Andrew', Buckingham Palace is said to have issued an eviction notice to the Sussexes amid the fallout from the publication of Harry's controversial memoir Spare, Woman fell in love with man 22 years older but wasn't surprised due to teen crush being Robert Downey Jr, Mum banned from gym over photo posted on her Instagram page, The picture was taken in the gym changing room, and showed mum-of-two Stephanie, Man allowed to keep trading in layby as business keeps doggers at bay, "The police know about it, everybody knows about it. , Polezhaeva told VERIFY you want ranges from 1 to 25, England, Aug. 9,.! A person uses their smartphone in London, England, Aug. 9, 2021 youve probably seen it across. 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