Beware: FaceApp Keeps the Rights to Your Photos

There's been some fuss and excitement with FaceApp's new filter this week. Here's what it's all about: after taking a photo on the app you can choose to see what you'll look like in 60 years' time.

It's hit the ground running, but read on if you want to find out what happens to your photos once your photo's taken. 

RELATED: FACEAPP GOES VIRAL WITH CELEBRITIES POSTING IMAGES OF FUTURE OLDER SELVES

If you want to keep your photos as your own, then don't download or use FaceApp. 

FaceApp keeps the rights to all photos taken on its software

Just in the last week, hundreds of thousands of photos have been taken on FaceApp, but there's a high chance most snap-happy photographers haven't read the terms and conditions fully. 

Now's the time to acquaint yourselves with them. 

There's an app that makes you look younger and older and it's fun! #faceappchallenge #agechallenge

But serious concerns have been raised about what could be behind that friendly interface. https://t.co/WaAdYidvD5

— Interaksyon (@interaksyon) July 18, 2019

Essentially, FaceApp can do as they please and use your photos without ever asking your permission. 

You do own the rights to your content, as they state in their Terms of Service - listed directly below - and the app owners ease you into their conditions by stating "FaceApp does not claim ownership of any User Content on or through the Services."

So far, so good. 

Then the mood switches a bit when they go on to declare:

"You grant FaceApp a perpetual, irrevocable, nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, fully-paid, transferable sub-licensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, publicly perform and display your User Content and any name, username or likeness provided in connection with your User Content in all media formats and channels now known or later developed, without compensation to you. By using the Services, you agree that the User Content may be used for commercial purposes. You further acknowledge that FaceApp's use of the User Content for commercial purposes will not result in any injury to you or to any person you authorized to act on its behalf." 

Quite a chunk of information. What this means is that the app can do as they wish with whatever is posted on their site. 

Essentially, they can use your images for monetary purposes or repost your images, all without asking your consent or even notifying you. Quite creepy. 

So, even though FaceApp doesn't own your content per se, they have the legal right to do whatever they wish with your content, whenever and wherever they want. 

This is particularly worrying for minors using the app, who may not be fully aware of what they are getting themselves into.

The cherry on top of the cake? Even if and when you delete the app, FaceApp still has the control to reuse and keep your photos. 

It's a worrying state of affairs given the already pressing issues surrounding data privacy. We'd think twice before signing up straight away.