ESET says fraudsters try to exploit FaceApp popularity

MOSCOW, Jul 22 (PRIME) -- Fraudsters try to use growing interest to picture editor FaceApp, which uses the neural network technology to edit photos, by offering its fake copies and subscribing inattentive clients for pay services or advertisements, antivirus maker ESET said on Monday in a statement.

In a number of cases perpetrators push forward fake websites and offer to download the application for free, the experts said, adding that victims get notifications that are part of a scam.

Designed by Wireless Lab, FaceApp has recently gone viral as many users of social networks edit pictures to see how they will look at old age.

U.S. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called for an investigation into FaceApp over privacy concerns as any photos withdrawn from the application could be used later without their owners’ consent.

The Russian communications service said earlier in July that it had not received any complaints about the application.

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