"Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! Some information may have changed over time. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock is registered in Moscow and has a Russian director. MailOnline has approached Apple and Google for a comment. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Hands down the best. 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. In May 2022, a new profile pic app, officially named "NewProfilePic Picture Editor" in the Apple Store and "NewProfilePic: Profile Picture" in the Google Play store, shot to the top of mobile charts with hundreds of thousands of downloads. "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. WebFor over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. In this ever changing world, why stick to one profile pic on your social media? Ritter warns the app, like many, could be collecting data. Box 438, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. On 05/12/2022 Williams filed a Personal Injury - Other Personal Injury lawsuit against Linerock Investments, LTD. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. But, express permission is required. 1. And it should be again. The number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. When VERIFY searched WHOIS later on May 11, the registered address for NewProfilePic.com was changed to Florida. When we asked the Linerock about this assertion raised by The Daily Mail, the spokesperson told us that the media outlet was referring to an address of lawyers who had registered the company in Moscow, not of the company itself. Another rumor accused the app of being malware and taking money out of people's accounts. 727-821-9494. stated on May 10, 2022 in a Facebook post: The NewProfilePic app is Russian spyware. Official govt docs expose Michelle Obamas 14 year history as a man., "Woody Harrelsons 60 seconds in the middle of his monologue was cut out of the edits released after the show., BREAKING Trump preps Marines to stop presidential coup.. 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. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. When we looked up this domain on May 11, our results showed that this website was registered in Florida. Apple will pay customers $700 for a slowed-down iPhone. The App offers 'the latest AI technology' and a 'constantly updated collection of amazing styles'. According to the When claims started circulating that the New Profile Pic app was some sort of scam, many people shared screenshots of the app's privacy policy. WebLinerock Investments LTD. Worldwide Totals (17 apps) Period: Last 30 Days. Its from a Russian based company and there are already reports of them wiping out bank accounts.". Last 60 Days. Again, we cant help remembering the lookalike Bangladesh story. The spokesperson said the app stores are crowded with similarly named apps, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases. It is scraping the data from your Facebook account, he stressed. The New Profile Pic app allows users to upload photos and edit them to look like paintings or cartoons. The data comes directly from the leaked files ICIJ has received in connection with various investigations and each dataset encompasses a defined time period specified in the database. I think Facebook has a lot more info than TikTok does. The firm also collects data on the user from other companies and combines it with their own dossier, while also collecting the IP address, browser type and settings from a computer or the device data from a mobile phone. Picsart is not a Linerock app but is comparable to other photo and video editing apps like NewProfilePic. Lastly, the claim that users of this app had money taken out of their bank accounts is, so far, unsubstantiated. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists offshore leaks database shows that Linerock Investments Ltd has an address in Moscow and is also The archive had a timestamp of 08:07:36 that day. We need your help. Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. Updated [May 13, 2022]: Added statement from cybersecurity expert. Hitler didnt kill 6 million Jews and the Holocaust is not what happened.. 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.". Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Warnings issued over New Profile Pic app that may send your personal information to Russia, Hurricane Ian insurance checks are coming with a scary warning, New device allows dogs with separation anxiety to video call their owners, City leaders discuss plans with property owners to revitalize Midtown Fort Myers, Car noise pollution regulations may be coming to Collier County, Boat dumped on side of road in Lehigh Acres, Island Coast baseball prepares for new season after making history, winning state title, Cape Coral mother warns others after daughters accidental fentanyl overdose. ? Hundreds of thousands of users have uploaded their photos to the app, which was first registered in Moscow. 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. A shareholder is located in Panama City, while a director is located in Russia. 2. 'It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. 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. If you connect your Facebook, Apple ID, or other third-party accounts to one of our apps, we use information from those accounts (like your username or profile picture). This is necessary in order to apply all those fancy effects driven by AI technologies. This is one example: We have not been able to confirm or disprove that this actually happened. Developers Origins. That post, along with others, quickly spread on social media, and the Daily Mail also reported on the claim. Lunina explained that all user photos are hosted and processed on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure servers, which are in the United States. "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 email or use our services," Linerock Investment Ltd. states. 'The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries. 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. Kathleen Polezhaeva from the company said it is based in the British Virgin Islands and has development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. TikToks privacy policy also says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform. Nothing gets sent to Russia. But the Mail says the company behind the app, Linerock Investments, is based next to Russia's Ministry of Defence, three miles outside Red Square. This case was filed in U.S. District Courts, Illinois Northern District Court. A spokesperson for the app told us: "The NewProfilePic app does not store users' accounts or any personal data. Oscar Cainer reveals all. We depend on the generous support of readers like you to help us expose corruption and hold the powerful to account. A second Twitter user echoed the sentiment, saying "NewProfilePic app is Russian owned and likely to contain ransomware.". It's possible, the spokesperson suggested, that users may have accidentally used one of these look-a-like apps, and that that service might have charged them. "The NewProfilePic app lets you change your user image style as often as you want. According to Picsarts privacy policy, if the user grants permission, private information like their name, email address and demographic information can be shared. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. "If you have it on your phone, delete it, if you gave it full permissions change your passwords warn your bank, there has been a huge uptick of bank accounts being drained and people being shut out of their accounts," the user added. DON'T MISSKyiv stands tall after Putin bombardment with two-thirds returning[LATEST]Ukraine ambassador blasts Austria protesters removed from Russia rally[REPORT]Exactly how the UK would react if Russia attacks a NATO ally[ANALYSIS]. The company's data policy states 'we collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us'. 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 website of the app, newprofilepic.com is in Moscow. It is misleading and some users download several apps to get the effect and in some they may activate the trial via the paywall. A blog post from the app developers published May 11 touting the apps success also confirms the office locations. NewProfilePics data privacy policy isnt particularly unique. Black Americans are not descended from people who were taken from Africa to be enslaved. Both of those apps have been around for years, and we are unaware of any reports that they have been used to steal money from people's bank accounts, or to give users' data to the Kremlin. "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. 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.. Some social media users claimed the app was stealing data in a criminal fashion. 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. In 2017, a St Petersburg-based company released FaceApp, which allowed users to upload a photograph which would be aged using Artificial Intelligence. They simply remove the app afterwards (which does not stop the subscription) and get charged after the trial is over. The UKs Daily Mail posted an article today alleging that NewProfilePic is likely to hoover up your data and send it to Moscow all because the app has been developed by a tech company based in Moscow. The app's promotional material states: "The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. Our Android team - mostly Ukrainian, Sazhins post said. Kate Polezhaeva, a spokesperson for Linerock Investment LTD, which developed NewProfilePic, told VERIFY via email the company currently has development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. James Ritter is a cyber security expert and CEO of Pulse Tech and showed online documents that reveal the owner of the app was registered in Moscow, Russia. When we compared the contents of this screenshot to that of other top apps, such as TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram, we found that requesting users' permission to "receive data from internet" and "have full network access" isn't unusual. 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.". Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, When you download the app, you are agreeing to share your location, your device details and other photos on your social media accounts. In the United States' Apple App Store, the app is called NewProfilePic Picture Editor and was developed by Informe Laboratories, Inc. the same developing group that released ToonMe. 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. A person can also change the settings on their Android or Apple phones and choose what the app is or isnt allowed to track. While it may be a concern for some, Elle Josten said she isnt worried. 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. Others claimed it was based in Russia and connected to the Kremlin. You can unsubscribe at any time. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. 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. View our online Press Pack. (WTRF) UPDATE: Snopes has provided an update regarding the NewProfilePic app. The privacy policy lists what their apps can access. MailOnline says the company behind the app, Linerock Investments, is based next to Russia's Ministry of Defence, three miles outside Red Square. People are often surprised to learn just how much personal data mobile apps are allowed to access. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. 1800 I Street NW We suggest you confirm the identities of any individuals or entities included in the database based on addresses or other identifiable information. "We may also obtain information from other companies and combine that with the information we collect on the Services.". Linerocks headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. It has been downloaded more than a million times and has almost 50,000 reviews on the Google Play Store. It has told MailOnline it is based in the British Virgin Islands 'with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus'. Washington, DC 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. Last 365 Days. The data police states we collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. Creators of photo editing apps. 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. Here is what we found out. ), We reached out to Google, Apple, and the user who posted the above-displayed message, and we will update this article if more information becomes available. According to the new app's promotional material: 'The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. ", 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.. Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' Rifles were involved in 297 deaths in the U.S. in 2022 and constipation killed 2,167., Drinking or using tap water treated with chlorine is dangerous because chlorine is a poison., Joe Biden described America as the foothills of the Himalayas with Xi Jinping., Kid Rock tweeted, Some people wouldnt recognize tyranny if it slapped a mask on their face, made them stand 6 feet apart, and forced them to take a vaccine for a virus with a 99.8% survival rate., The train that derailed in Ohio was carrying over 300,000 gallons of a chemical that was banned in 1974.. 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We have never had an office there. "Currently, the address was changed in order to avoid any confusion.". Rishi Sunak warns MPs they can't trust 'Mr 2nd Referendum' Keir Starmer on Brexit in meeting with backbench DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Rishi Sunak's vaunted Brexit deal could be a landmark achievement, Rishi's deal gives Brexit a second chance. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Trump tweeted about his return to Twitter on Nov. 19. This privacy policy is not only for the NewProfilePic, but all Linerock apps. Video shows President Joe Biden recalling an alien encounter. 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