Cybersecurity expert warns of the dangers of FaceApp
Posted July 17, 2019 10:50 am.
Last Updated July 17, 2019 7:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Chances are, some of your friends are looking a bit older thanks to FaceApp which has already taken the internet by storm.
The app uses photos from your phone to show what an older or younger version of yourself could look like.
FaceApp launched last year and allowed you to see yourself as the opposite gender.
One cybersecurity expert, however, is warning these fun apps can come with consequences.
David Shipley with Beauceron Security said that while the product may be advertised as ‘free’, it’s your information that’s the real price. He noted that even a picture of your face can do plenty of damage.
“It can be used to identify you and unlock things like your smartphone or other things and you want to make sure you protect your identity.”
Shipley said that some hackers will go to extreme lengths to steal personal information.
“We’ve seen hacks in the last two years of Android phones that use facial ID, that if someone can get enough photos of your face and can actually 3D print a head and unlock your phone.”
He said the best way to ensure your data is to check the user agreement before downloading these kinds of apps.
Shipley warns other nefarious activities hackers can do include selling your search history and your location to other companies.
“A lot of companies trade data, almost like trading baseball cards like kids, and because they can sell it, they didn’t violate the spirit or terms of your agreement, but it certainly wasn’t what a lot of people thought was going to happen with their data.”
Overall, issues like this can pose serious problems in the future.
“People’s photos being used to create fake social media profiles that look more real and authentic or to make a copy of your very own social media profile to then target your friends and family with a variety of different scams and attacks.”
