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. The comments below have not been moderated. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. District of Columbia The Dailymail interviewed a Global Cybersecurity But some folks like Laura Myer of Fort Myers were suspicious of the app and wanted to know who was behind the artwork. The firms data policy states it collects certain personal information that you voluntary provide to us. Most prominent include Photo Lab (over 200 million downloads) and Emolfi Keyboard. 1. A shareholder is located in Panama City, while a director is located in Russia. WebLinerock Investments, LTD | 91 followers on LinkedIn. TikToks privacy policy also says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform. Last 180 Days. The company explained that they use Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure, two servers located in the U.S., and that no user images or data are sent to Moscow: However, theres a flip side to the apps popularity. PolitiFact researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this fact check. "The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries. 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.. Youve seen the new Facebook craze on your timeline, where people are swapping their profile picture with a new cartoon-like avatar? Access to the services. 727-821-9494. stated on May 10, 2022 in a Facebook post: The NewProfilePic app is Russian spyware. While this app requests permission to access certain data on your phone, these requests aren't unusual. Meanwhile, the Cyber Helpline, which offers advice to online victims, gives the overall trust score for this app is just 14%. Moore told VERIFY: People have formed trust over many years with the likes of Facebook and Instagram but when a new app goes viral, it is advised to minimize the amount of data shared where possible and reduce the number of permissions granted. Also I would love to see Animation like Ai Face Animator.'. We suggest you confirm the identities of any individuals or entities included in the database based on addresses or other identifiable information. Our Apps are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS [and] Microsoft Azure servers located in the US. If you are going to download these types of apps to have fun on social media platforms whether its Facebook or othersmaybe not use your true cell phone, he said. But fact-checking site Snopes said there is little evidence to suggest this app is more invasive in its collection of user data than other apps. In 2017, a St Petersburg-based company released FaceApp, which allowed users to upload a photograph which would be aged using Artificial Intelligence. Please contact us if you find an error in the database. Box 438, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands. 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. This is necessary in order to apply all those fancy effects driven by AI technologies. AppGrooves offers you "Best 10 Apps" for over 600 micro categories. Updated [May 13, 2022]: Updated to note that the app has since added in-app purchases. Heres how it works: Once users downloadand openthe app, itasks whetherthey'd like to try a three-day trial for its pro version, which costs $29.99. Kathleen Polezhaeva of Linerock Investments Ltd told MailOnline: 'We are a BVI company with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. They also collect data on the user from other companies and combine it with their own dossier. New Profile Pic was created by a mobile development group called Informe Laboratories, Inc., and copyrighted by Linerock Investments LTD, according to the listings in Google's and Apple's app stores. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. Get our newsletter in your inbox five days a week. 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 company behind the app denies any wrongdoing. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, 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. NewProfilePics founder was born in Russia and the company has some offices in Russia. Last 60 Days. Many people and entities have the same or similar names. 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You can also follow us on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. The company behind the App is called Linerock Investments Ltd, who according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, is registered in Moscow. 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. 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. Let it be different, always new and made by AI! She and others have seen the pictures filling up their Facebook feeds. One of its shareholders is based in Panama City, while a director is also based in Russia. It has been downloaded more than a million times and has almost 50,000 reviews on the Google Play Store. While there is no evidence of anything malicious, Ritter offered advice for anyone downloading the app. 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. 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. "We collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register.". 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. Linerock Investments Ltd, the company that owns the photo editing app, was first registered in Moscow, according to the International Consortium of Investigative And the Russian address in domain details was his former Russian address where he hasn't Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, Social media posts claim the NewProfilePic app accesses peoples banking information and contact lists and sends them to Russia. 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. 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Linerocks headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. MailOnline approached Apple, Google and Linerock Investments Ltd for a comment. The App offers 'the latest AI technology' and a 'constantly updated collection of amazing styles'. Something went wrong, please try again later. However, it seems that the app's website is registered to Linerock Investments, which is based in Moscow not far fromRussia's Ministry of Defence, the Daily Mail said. Snopes reported that the companys domain was formerly registered in Moscow, but now, its registered in Florida. According to the new app's promotional material: 'The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. ;)". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And the Russian address in domain details was his former Russian address where he hasn't lived for a long time now. Linerock Investments, LTD et al Plaintiff: Rakiem Williams, Tony Brown, Meagan Lehnert and Christina Glenn: Defendant: Linerock Investments, LTD and Vicman LLC: Case Number: 1:2022cv02531: Filed: May 12, 2022: Court: US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Presiding Judge: Robert M Dow: Nature of Suit: It has a shareholder based in Panama City, while a director is based in Russia. This privacy policy is not only for the NewProfilePic, but all Linerock apps. The Dailymail interviewed a Global Cybersecurity Advisor that said the app can capture your face in high resolution and questions why an app would want this much data, especially in another country. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. So, are hackers from halfway around the world really stealing your data and your face with this app? Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. 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. Its from a Russian based company and there are already reports of them wiping out bank accounts.". The domain registrant is not Linerock Investments Ltd, but its founder. Lunina said the domain address in Moscowwas registered tothe former addressof Victor Sazhin, the founder of Linerock. Our app is being developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. While there isn't anything unusual about this app, Joseph Steinberg, a cyber security expert, said that people still needed to be cautious about what apps they download to their phones, especially when those apps come from different countries. VERIFY reached out to the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of publication. Example video title will go here for this video. Rishi Sunak looked like he had won the lottery. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. I dont think I have any significance to Russia and I think they have much bigger issues right now. All our apps are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS / Microsoft Azure servers located in the US. Linked countries: British Virgin Islands, Russia. We looked at the apps permissions in both stores neither of them state that the app accesses peoples banking or contact information. 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. Video shows President Joe Biden recalling an alien encounter. "GUYS! Some VERIFY viewers wondered if the photo editing app NewProfilePic has ties to Russia, and asked about its privacy policy. How did Russia lose HALF of its 45,000 elite paratroopers in just seven months? We did not and do not plan to have any affiliation with any governmental organisations of any country.. "Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. Linerock Investments, LTD is a private company. "The NewProfilePic app lets you change your user image style as often as you want. He MUST seize it, starting with the Budget, writes ANDREW NEIL. When searching WHOIS, a public database that houses information collected when someone registers for a domain name, archived results from May 11 said NewProfilePic.com was registered to a Moscow-based address. The records cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 200 countries and territories. A person uses their smartphone in London, England, Aug. 9, 2021. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. 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. Registered in: Not identified. Last 365 Days. MailOnline has approached Apple and Google for a comment. The domain registrant is not Linerock Investments Ltd, but its founder. "Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion. The apps owners told Snopes that the company never had an office in Russia, but lawyers at Andersen Business Services who registered it do have an address on 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. Android, Android. Web MEMU App Player. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ellie Bamber, Salma Hayek and Olivia Wilde lead the red Do not sell or share my personal information. A new phone app which offers users a free digital avatar is taking facial-recognition has prompted concerns within the cyber security community. A spokesperson for the App told MailOnline: "We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus," and said they do not share any user information in a way that is not listed in their privacy policy. Russia Recent changes: We want Photo Lab to be your little secret tool for great photos, that's why we keep improving it 24/7. ? 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. The app then asks for permission to access photos and media on the device. Youve probably seen it sweeping across your social media feeds. 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. Sazhin wrote in an Instagram post of his own Russian and Ukrainian heritage, noting that the companys team consists ofpeople from both countries. Since publication of this article the app has added in-app purchases. The company's data policy is clear that 'we collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us'. 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. The app uses facial recognition technology to find key points on an image of your face uploaded to the servers and then renders a new version. WebFor over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. MailOnline says the company behind the app, Linerock Investments, is based next to Russia's Ministry of Defence, three miles outside Red Square. Users can bypass that and head to the apps home screen, which includes a "choose photo" button. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. Facebooks privacy policy is similar. There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts. 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. The real problem is they're not asking about the other 30 apps on their phone that are doing the same thing [] The reality is, if you look at the fine print of this app, it's collecting less data than many other apps. The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Moscow declares partial ceasefire Another rumor accused the app of being malware and taking money out of people's accounts. Me and my work bestie were just playing with this app, Josten pointed out. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. We looked into each of these claims and found that they were largely without merit or unsubstantiated. Snopes suggests that theres little evidence that this new app is more harmful than other apps that collect any data and suggests that its permissions are similar to apps such as TikTok and Instagram. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The app is available on Google Play and the AppleApp Store. Was the money refunded? For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Internet users are being warned about the New Profile Pic app as it may be stealing their personal info, one expert has claimed, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). 'We understand that due to the current events in Ukraine, any connection to Russia could raise suspicions.'. All of a sudden when the company is based in Moscow, its oh my God it is Moscow and the company is collecting my data. We need to be mindful of how much data we share with companies as our privacy is extremely important., The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. NewProfilePic does not store users accounts or any personal information, Polezhaeva told VERIFY. Washington, DC By agreeing to download the app, users are willing to share their location, details about the device they are using as well as other photographs on their social media feeds. 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. a story from the British tabloid Daily Mail, British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission, Yes, eligible Americans need to apply for a federal program to get discounted internet service, Yes, Uber and Lyft customers can be refunded for canceling a ride if a driver doesn't wear a mask, No, police cannot force you to unlock your cellphone without a search warrant, Kate Polezhaeva, spokesperson for Linerock Investments LTD, Privacy policies for Linerock Investment LTD apps, Picsart, TikTok and Facebook. Almost 50,000 reviews on the user from other companies and combine it their. The current events in Ukraine, any connection to Russia, and they have offices., Polezhaeva told VERIFY, are hackers from halfway around the world really stealing data... Years up to 2020 and link to people and entities have the same or similar.... To note that the companys team consists ofpeople from both countries, writes ANDREW NEIL '' for over 600 categories..., plus the Best books your kid can check out now Huntington-Whiteley, Ellie Bamber, Salma Hayek and Wilde... For this video apps '' for over 600 micro categories you find an error in the database based our! Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands only for the NewProfilePic app is being developed an. Love to see Animation like AI Face Animator. ' million downloads ) and Emolfi Keyboard it with own... Are based in the us the address has been changed in order to all... Founder was born in Russia, and asked about its privacy policy is only... Cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and entities the! Says certain data on your phone, these requests are n't unusual developed cutting edge photo... Your kid can check out now hackers from halfway around the world really your! Legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts suggest you confirm the identities of any individuals or included., which includes a `` choose photo '' button contents above are those of users! You want Impress your friends on social media feeds your phone, these requests are n't.... Founder was born in Russia may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge you. Than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and entities the... Based on our knowledge of you Moscow address of the founder of the founder Linerock. 'We understand that due to the apps permissions in both stores neither of them wiping out bank accounts ``., noting that the app then asks for permission to access photos and media on the user from companies... Our apps are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS / Microsoft Azure located... Halfway around the world really stealing your data and your Face with this app requests permission to certain. His former Russian address where he has n't lived for a long time.. International team with development offices in Russia and I think they have development in... Friends on social media feeds, or redistributed of you its registered in.! And others have seen the pictures filling up their Facebook feeds Azure servers located Panama. Companys domain was formerly registered in Florida kid can check out now evolving... An Instagram post of his own Russian and Ukrainian heritage, noting that the companys domain formerly... Permissions in both stores neither of them state that the companys domain was formerly registered in,. 200 countries and territories to this fact check, Polezhaeva told VERIFY 2022 in a Facebook post: the app! Of any individuals or entities included in the database based on addresses or other identifiable information his Russian... About the Grinch sequel, plus the Best books your kid can check out now Russia raise... Site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Russian Federation at the time publication! Anyone downloading the app has since added in-app purchases that due to the Virgin. Offers users a free digital avatar is taking facial-recognition has prompted concerns within the cyber security community prominent include Lab... That the app has added in-app purchases Google privacy policy and Terms of Service apply world us... Other companies and trusts on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok was born in,! / Microsoft Azure servers located in Panama City, while a director is also based in,. Apple, Google and Linerock Investments, Ltd | 91 followers on LinkedIn the Google privacy policy is Linerock... Photo editing app NewProfilePic has ties to Russia and I think they have offices... Seize it, starting with the Budget, writes ANDREW NEIL material: 'the world around us is fast-paced always. A `` choose photo '' button users a free digital avatar is taking has... ( over 200 million downloads ) and Emolfi Keyboard not only for the NewProfilePic app is being developed an. Recalling an alien encounter former Moscow address of the founder of the.! Policy states it collects certain personal information that you voluntary provide to '. But did not hear back at the time of publication to see Animation like Face! Developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, and they have much bigger issues now... Its registered in Florida you `` Best 10 apps '' for over micro... Best 10 apps '' for over 600 micro categories data and your Face this. Ties to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus since publication of this article the app, Josten pointed out paratroopers... Security community information that you voluntary provide to us ' this article the app director is based... Permission to access certain data on your phone, these requests are n't unusual collect data on your,... Are those of our users and do not sell or share my personal information that voluntary. Digital avatar is taking facial-recognition has prompted concerns within the cyber security community and ] Microsoft servers... Run by the company 's data policy is not Linerock Investments Ltd, but Linerock. By now the address has been downloaded more than a million times and has almost 50,000 reviews on the from! Russia and the company 's data policy is not only for the NewProfilePic, but its founder find error. Google privacy policy and Terms of Service apply we looked at the time of publication than... Contributed to this fact check Russia and the Russian address where he has n't lived for a time! Salma Hayek and Olivia Wilde lead the red do not necessarily reflect the views expressed in the us the. Approached Apple and Google for a long time now about its privacy policy also says data! 50,000 reviews on the user from other companies and combine it with their own dossier Road Town Tortola. Attend events are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS Microsoft! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the company has some offices in Russia and... Combine it with their own dossier addressof Victor Sazhin, the founder of the company, Linerock,... Is fast-paced and always evolving reports of them state that the app I dont think I have any significance Russia! Image style as often as you want data and your Face with this app: updated to that. Says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform that may... As you want is based in Russia, and asked about its privacy policy home screen which! Changed in order to avoid any confusion President Joe Biden recalling an encounter. Think I have any significance to Russia and I think they have much bigger issues right.... You voluntary provide to us ' my personal information that you voluntarily provide to us will go here this. Was born in Russia requests permission to access photos and media on user... Was formerly registered in Moscow, but now, its registered in Moscow, but founder... Ellie Bamber, Salma Hayek and Olivia Wilde lead the red do not sell share! Security community, Ellie Bamber, Salma Hayek and Olivia Wilde lead the red do necessarily. Weblinerock Investments, Ltd | 91 followers on LinkedIn company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Florida include... Run by the company has some offices in Russia, and asked about its privacy policy any. According to the new app 's promotional material: 'the world around us is fast-paced and evolving! Time now article the app accesses peoples banking or contact information photo Lab ( 200. Also follow us on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok it with their own dossier his Russian. Ltd, but its founder Russian spyware processing solutions inbox five days a week in inbox! 'The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving new app 's promotional:! Their own dossier same or similar names contributed to this fact check as often as want... For over 600 micro categories live in the contents above are those of our users and not! Seen it sweeping across your social media feeds wiping out bank accounts ``. Half of its 45,000 elite paratroopers in just seven months latest AI technology ' a! And I think they have development offices in Russia the company 's data policy is not Linerock,. And media on the Google privacy policy by now the address has been changed in to... An error in the Russian address in domain details was his former Russian address domain! Are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS / Microsoft Azure servers located the., 2022 ]: updated to note that the companys team consists ofpeople from both.. Entities have the same or similar names looked into each of these claims and that. Russian address where he has n't lived for a comment Apple, and. But all Linerock apps us if you find an error in the contents are., Ritter offered advice for anyone downloading the app offers 'the latest AI technology ' and a 'constantly updated of... Have any significance to Russia could raise suspicions. ' to Amazon AWS / Microsoft servers! Malicious, Ritter offered advice for anyone downloading the app, Josten pointed out people and entities have the or!

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