Snopes reported that the companys domain was formerly registered in Moscow, but now, its registered in Florida. 3. But according to a rising number of claims, the NewProfilePic app is bad news. It's also important to read a service's privacy policy before downloading as you may be unknowingly agreeing to share personal information. Learn More . The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. WebFor over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. If you will check the search results you will see other apps with pretty similar titles. But Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security told MailOnline that people have to be incredibly careful when uploading photographs or personal data to a brand new website. Everything I found out it seems like a Russian hack is getting personal information from Americans, she said. WebLinerock Investments, LTD | 139 followers on LinkedIn. We depend on the generous support of readers like you to help us expose corruption and hold the powerful to account. 'It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. NewProfilePics data privacy policy isnt particularly unique. The Linerock Investments, LTD annual revenue is estimated at < 1M. ), 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. AppGrooves offers you "Best 10 Apps" for over 600 micro categories. 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. By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion. Lunina said the domain address in Moscowwas registered tothe former addressof Victor Sazhin, the founder of Linerock. To connect with Linerock Investments, LTD employee register on SignalHire. According to Polezhaeva, the domain name for www.newprofilepic.com, the website affiliated with the app, was originally registered by an attorney with Andersen Business Services, Inc., which has an office in Moscow. The company behind the App is called Linerock Investments Ltd, who according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. On 05/12/2022 Williams filed a Personal Injury - Other Personal Injury lawsuit against Linerock Investments, LTD. 2. It asks for access to the users camera, photos and media. The app is number one in photos on the Apple app store and has been rated 25,000 times on Google Play. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. NewProfilePic does not store users accounts or any personal information, Polezhaeva told VERIFY. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 'All user photos are hosted and processed on the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers, which are located outside the Russian Federation. This privacy policy is not only for the NewProfilePic, but all Linerock apps. There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts. Updated [May 13, 2022]: Updated to note that the app has since added in-app purchases. Says Hitler said Black people are the true Hebrews.. In each of these examples, including NewProfilePic, the privacy policies state information could be collected from other third-party, or outside and unaffiliated, applications and shared with those third-party applications. WebLinerock Investments LTD We know everything about easy photo editing and provide innovative still handy mobile applications and web tools to users all over the world Photo 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. According to the app store pages for NewProfilePic, the address associated with the app is a business center located in Tortolas business district. "The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries. Oscar Cainer reveals all. The We have never had an office there. She and others have seen the pictures filling up their Facebook feeds. "Regardless of where they are based, I would always err on the side of caution when handing over sensitive data as once it has gone it is virtually impossible to gain control of it back.". The number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Thebank that won't pass on rate rises unless you ring and ask:Just one of the ruses greedy lenders use to Tory Eurosceptics could take TWO WEEKS to decide whether to back Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal for Northern BBC journalists vote 'overwhelmingly' to stage series of strikes in move that could sabotage corporation's More snow and ice could batter Britain next week: Met Office warns Arctic blast from Greenland could send Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? You can read more about the company's privacy policy on its website. The app does not ask for that information. Hands down the best. Since publication of this article the app has added in-app purchases. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. On both Google's and Apple's app store, the developer's location is listed as being Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. This account already exists. And the Russian address in domain details was his former Russian address where he hasn't WebLinerock Investments Ltd. Get a D&B Hoovers Free Trial Overview Company Description: ? 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. 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 While it may be a concern for some, Elle Josten said she isnt worried. While there is no evidence of anything malicious, Ritter offered advice for anyone downloading the app. 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. We suggest you confirm the identities of any individuals or entities included in the database based on addresses or other identifiable information. "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. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This app is safe for people to use it.". Please contact us if you find an error in the database. The app's promotional material states: "The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. Elle Josten of Cape Coral created numerous pictures of her six-month-old son. Let it be different, always new and made by AI! Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. On the Apple App Store, the app was rated #1 on the photo and video chart, with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating and more than 16,000 reviews. Updated [May 13, 2022]: Added statement from cybersecurity expert. 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. Although there currently is no evidence to indicate that New Profile Pic is a scam, you should always do your due diligence with new apps. Facebook users are being warned over a popular new profile pic trend that is sending your data to Moscow. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. A spokesperson for the app told us: "The NewProfilePic app does not store users' accounts or any personal data. 1800 I Street NW Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, App creator and founder of Linerock Investment, Victor Sazhain, is from Russia and responded to the rumors: "The war between Russia and Ukraine has been always unthinkable. "All user photos are hosted and processed on the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers, which are located outside the Russian Federation. According to Linerocks privacy policy, the company only collects personal information that is voluntarily provided. You can download a raw copy of the database here. Some information may have changed over time. Wealthy aristocratic lifestyle of the ex Tatler It-girl who grew up on her family's sprawling Dorset estate: 'Digital antidepressants' to be rolled out on the NHS as health bosses give eight apps and web-based therapy Their 53 days on the run: The trail for Constance Marten and Mark Gordon had gone cold it was only by School's out AGAIN: Tens of thousands of teachers across the Midlands and eastern England are set to strike Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? Some VERIFY viewers wondered if the photo editing app NewProfilePic has ties to Russia, and asked about its privacy policy. Our Android team - mostly Ukrainian, Sazhins post said. Moreover, the claims of the apps Russian connection go down to one reason. 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. "Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! ;)". You can choose to stop sharing this information with us at any time by going to Facebook or other third-party accounts and removing our access, the policy says. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. (WTRF) UPDATE: Snopes has provided an update regarding the NewProfilePic app. It is misleading and some users download several apps to get the effect and in some they may activate the trial via the paywall. Several VERIFY viewers reached out to ask if the app is safe to use and what connections it has to Russia. TikToks privacy policy also says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform. WebLinerock Investments LTD. Worldwide Totals (17 apps) Period: Last 30 Days. 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. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. EXCLUSIVE 'I hope he has a hard time in a men's prison': Estranged wife of trans double rapist Isla Bryson Front row fabulous! In early May, NewProfilePic, an application that uses artificial intelligence technologies to stylize your social media profile picture, shot to the top of the charts on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Harry and Meghan evicted from Frogmore Cottage by King Charles after Spare memoir, Amy Nuttall caught cheating hubby when he bought sexy lingerie, Constance Marten and lover arrested over manslaughter, Woman found murdered is missing mum who had not been seen since before Xmas, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. The concern is that the app may contain dangerous Russian malware. "We collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register.". The privacy policy lists what their apps can access. Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! The 700-year-old Coronation chair that has been used for the crowning of King Charles has 'jeopardised' the monarchy by meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Do we get our 87p back? The app is proving incredibly popular online, offering the chance to turn a photograph of users into attractive, highly-stylised cartoon-style images. The company behind the app denies any wrongdoing. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. 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. People can select which photos they want to turn into cartoons, and the app will generate thoseimages into caricatures. 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. 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. VERIFY reached out to the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of publication. 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. Web MEMU App Player. Our app is being developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. This ICIJ database contains information on more than 810,000 offshore entities that are part of the Pandora Papers, Paradise Papers, Bahamas Leaks, Panama Papers and Offshore Leaks investigations. He MUST seize it, starting with the Budget, writes ANDREW NEIL. Registered in: Not identified Linked countries: British Virgin Islands, Russia Agent: Commonwealth Trust Limited Search in: The Offshore Leaks data is The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. On the day of the Dec. 6 runoff, armed groups of Black Panthers were reportedly patrolling certain voting locations in Georgia. 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According to Picsarts privacy policy, if the user grants permission, private information like their name, email address and demographic information can be shared. They said: We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. They also collect data on the user from other companies and combine it with their own dossier. "It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. 'Regardless of where they are based, I would always err on the side of caution when handing over sensitive data as once it has gone it is virtually impossible to gain control of it back.'. A cyber security expert has urged caution over giving the app access to your images and data, Keep up to date with the latest stories with our WalesOnline newsletter. WebBest 31 Apps by "Linerock Investments LTD", such as Photo Lab Picture Editor & Art , Visage Lab face retouch , ToonMe - cartoons from photos , Christmas Photo Frames, Effects & Cards Art and Photo Collada collage maker . But some folks like Laura Myer of Fort Myers were suspicious of the app and wanted to know who was behind the artwork. This quickly changed now to Florida, Ritter noted. The new fad is getting a lot of attention but the new app reportedly is sending your information to Russia. The app has so far proven to be extremely popular and on Apple's App Store, it has surged to the summit of the photo and video chart while on the Google Play Store, more than 25,000 people have rated it. The apps domain was formerly registered in Moscow because the founder once lived there. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. 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. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. This app comes from a company in the British Virgin Islands that uses an international team of developers, some of whom reside in Russia. After, The Daily Mail and others reported the app was created in Russia. Was the money refunded? 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. Linerock Investments, LTD is a private company. It said it was only registered in Moscow because that was the former home of the founder of the company, who has now moved. Hitler didnt kill 6 million Jews and the Holocaust is not what happened.. Called NewProfilePic (also NewProfilePic Picture Editor), the app has taken the internet by storm and already boasts tens of thousands of users. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. Google Play, NewProfilePic: Profile Picture, accessed May 12, 2022, App Store, NewProfilePic Picture Editor, accessed May 12, 2022, Pho.to, Privacy Policy, accessed May 12, 2022, NewProfilePic home page, accessed May 12, 2022, Google Play, Instagram, accessed May 13, 2022, Google Play, TikTok, accessed May 13, 2022, Snopes, Is New Profile Pic App a Russian Malware Scam? "GUYS! The records cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 200 countries and territories. | For over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. Lastly, the claim that users of this app had money taken out of their bank accounts is, so far, unsubstantiated. We looked at the apps permissions in both stores neither of them state that the app accesses peoples banking or contact information. 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. The App offers 'the latest AI technology' and a 'constantly updated collection of amazing styles'. Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. I personally was born in USSR in Moscow and moved to Krivyi Rih [Ukraine] being two months old. A shareholder is located in Panama City, while a director is located in Russia. Last 60 Days. VERIFY reached out to Amazon and Microsoft to confirm but did not hear back at the time of publication. On Apple's App Store, the App is number one in the photo and video chart, while more than 25,000 have rated it on the Google Play Store. 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. 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Thank you for signing up for our newsletter! Creators of photo editing apps. Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' Photo of electric charging station powered by diesel generator is emblematic of the electric vehicle movement. Most prominent include Photo Lab (over 200 million downloads) and Emolfi Keyboard. 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. When we clicked on the apps privacy policy for both Google and Apple, we were directed to Linerock Investments website. 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. 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. (AP). Home News Warnings issued over New Profile Pic app that may send your personal information to Russia. '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. It is also worth reiterating that this app didn't come from a new company, and New Profile Pic isn't their first app. The outlet reports that the company behind the app is called Linerock Investments Ltd, which according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, is registered in Moscow. We need your help. WebLinerock Investments Ltd. The post, which addresses the war between Russia and Ukraine, provided background on his companys connections to both countries. St. Petersburg, FL They said images are sent to Amazon servers to apply the effects, are not visible to anybody and are deleted after two weeks. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Is New Profile Pic App a Russian Malware Scam? Jake Moore, a cybersecurity advisor with European cybersecurity company ESET, told VERIFY via email that people should be mindful of what permissions they give to new applications. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. A blog post from the app developers published May 11 touting the apps success also confirms the office locations. Users can bypass that and head to the apps home screen, which includes a "choose photo" button. 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 address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. The NewProfilePic app does not access users banking information or contact lists, and it does not send their information to Russia. Joan Rivers was killed for revealing that Barack Obama is gay and Michelle Obama is transgender. The archive had a timestamp of 08:07:36 that day. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. 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]. Our iOS team is mostly Russian. The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore's family say the actor, 61, has 'no further hope' after going into a Ed Sheeran reveals wife Cherry was diagnosed with tumour while pregnant which couldn't be treated until Matt Hancock was warned it was 'inhumane' to impose restrictions on visiting care homes and elderly were at Jacob Rees-Mogg 'had a Covid test for one of his children couriered to his home amid a shortage', according Time to veto keto? This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. 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.

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