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. 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). Registered in: Not identified Linked countries: British Virgin Islands, Russia Agent: Commonwealth Trust Limited Search in: The Offshore Leaks data is So, are hackers from halfway around the world really stealing your data and your face with this app? Here is what we found out. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, Whenever a popular app comes out, many variations and copycat versions shortly follow, some with nefarious intentions. 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. Hundreds of thousands of users have uploaded their photos to the app, which was first registered in Moscow. Moreover, the claims of the apps Russian connection go down to one reason. Youve probably seen it sweeping across your social media feeds. 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.. 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. 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. People can select which photos they want to turn into cartoons, and the app will generate thoseimages into caricatures. The Linerock Investments, LTD annual revenue is estimated at < 1M. A spokesman for the app told the publication that it is based in the British Virgin Islands with some development offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and that it Lastly, the claim that users of this app had money taken out of their bank accounts is, so far, unsubstantiated. Example video title will go here for this video. This includes the users name, email address, social network information, IP address, browser type and the device data from a mobile phone or settings from a computer. We need your help. Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists offshore leaks database shows that Linerock Investments Ltd has an address in Moscow and is also 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). "GUYS! The firms data policy states it collects certain personal information that you voluntary provide to us. Linerock Investments LTD is an Android developer, who started in 2010, and thus is one of the Android pioneers. 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. Others claimed it was based in Russia and connected to the Kremlin. Some information may have changed over time. A spokesperson for the app told us: "The NewProfilePic app does not store users' accounts or any personal data. Photo shows what railways in Ohio look like while we send $40 billion to Ukraine.. The firm also collects the IP address, browser type and settings from a computer or the device data from a mobile phone handset. He said: '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.'. 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. The 2021 infrastructure bill requires all new vehicles to have kill switches that will stop vehicle operation and alert law enforcement when drivers are impaired. 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. It is also worth reiterating that this app didn't come from a new company, and New Profile Pic isn't their first app. On the day of the Dec. 6 runoff, armed groups of Black Panthers were reportedly patrolling certain voting locations in Georgia. 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. Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. It has a shareholder based in Panama City, while a director is based in Russia. The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. MailOnline says the company behind the app, Linerock Investments, is based next to Russia's Ministry of Defence, three miles outside Red Square. 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. Again, we cant help remembering the lookalike Bangladesh story. Polezhaeva confirmed the domains registered address was changed at some point on May 11. A person can also change the settings on their Android or Apple phones and choose what the app is or isnt allowed to track. Our Android team - mostly Ukrainian, Sazhins post said. Now you know it, update and enjoy. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. This account already exists. And the Russian address in domain details was his former Russian address where he hasn't Key Principal: Victor Sazhin See more contacts Industry: Computer software development To connect with Linerock Investments, LTD employee register on SignalHire. Or is this just a bunch of hype? It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. "It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. 'The address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. | For over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. The company behind the App is called Linerock Investments Ltd, who according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks The apps developers do have some ties to Russia, but not as extensive as some have claimed. one Facebook post warned. Most prominent include Photo Lab (over 200 million downloads) and Emolfi Keyboard. The newprofilepic.com domain was originally registered in Russia, but now its registered in Florida. Meanwhile, the Cyber Helpline, which offers advice to online victims, gives the overall trust score for this app is just 14%. Heres how you can tell. 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. ", 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.. 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.. 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. We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Android, Android. The records cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 200 countries and territories. stated on November 19, 2022 a screenshot: stated on February 25, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 22, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 26, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on February 27, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 15, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 26, 2023 in a video on Facebook: stated on February 25, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on February 18, 2023 in a Facebook post: All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. "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," he added. A spokesperson for the app told Dailymail that they do not share user information. Access to the services. A spokesperson for the company explained it was the former address of the founder, who has both Russian and Ukrainian heritage. The ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database is licensed under the Open Database License and contents under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license. Photo of electric charging station powered by diesel generator is emblematic of the electric vehicle movement. Nevertheless, your photos (or any other data) are NOT sent to Moscow. Moscow declares partial ceasefire Polezhaeva told VERIFY Linerock Investment LTD was founded in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Facebook users are being warned over a popular new profile pic trend that is sending your data to Moscow. 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. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock is registered in Moscow and has a Russian director. Called NewProfilePic (also NewProfilePic Picture Editor), the app has taken the internet by storm and already boasts tens of thousands of users. 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. '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. I saw a lot of my friends from high school and family posting photos of themselves in this portrait, sort of like painting mode, said Maria Combe. However, it seems that the app's website is registered to Linerock Investments, which is based in Moscow not far from Russia's Ministry of PolitiFact researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this fact check. We depend on the generous support of readers like you to help us expose corruption and hold the powerful to account. (WTRF) UPDATE: Snopes has provided an update regarding the NewProfilePic app. Several VERIFY viewers reached out to ask if the app is safe to use and what connections it has to Russia. 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. On 05/12/2022 Williams filed a Personal Injury - Other Personal Injury lawsuit against Linerock Investments, LTD. But according to a rising number of claims, the NewProfilePic app is bad news. Trump tweeted about his return to Twitter on Nov. 19. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists offshore leaks database shows that Linerock Investments Ltd has an address in Moscow and is also "Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! Video shows President Joe Biden recalling an alien encounter. Case Summary. Snopes reported that the companys domain was formerly registered in Moscow, but now, its registered in Florida. WebPhoto Lab boasts one of the vastest collections of stylish and funny photo effects: more than 900 effects to date! 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. 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