"All user photos are hosted and processed on the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers, which are located outside the Russian Federation. 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 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. 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. But Linerock Investments Ltd, the company behind the app has denied any wrongdoing. When we asked the Linerock about this assertion raised by The Daily Mail, the spokesperson told us that the media outlet was referring to an address of lawyers who had registered the company in Moscow, not of the company itself. 1. That post, along with others, quickly spread on social media, and the Daily Mail also reported on the claim. ESET Internet Security Global Cybersecurity Advisor Jake Moore has questioned why the popular new app would want such a high level of data from its users, especially when the company is based abroad. Its requested app permissions are similar to other mainstream apps. stated on February 19, 2023 in an Instagram post. ;)'. "Currently, the address was changed in order to avoid any confusion.". The new fad is getting a lot of attention but the new app reportedly is sending your information to Russia. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million "It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. The Standard has reached out to Google Play and Linerock Investments ltd for comment. Nevertheless, your photos (or any other data) are NOT sent to Moscow. We need a full body, or torso. Our Android team - mostly Ukrainian, Sazhins post said. Creators of photo editing apps. A spokesperson for the app told Dailymail that they do not share user information. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. This app is safe for people to use it.". 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. Hands down the best. 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. But the reality is, if this app or TikTok or any other app from a foreign country, you don't know how they're going to share the data.". The records cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 200 countries and territories. It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. She and others have seen the pictures filling up their Facebook feeds. 'It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. 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Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com, shared a screenshot of the requested app permissions. 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? We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Youve probably seen it sweeping across your social media feeds. 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. VERIFY reached out to the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of publication. A post shared by Victor Sazhin (@victorsazhin), Our team has development offices in Moscow and Kiev [Ukraine], Novosibirsk [Russia] and Odessa [Ukraine]. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists offshore leaks database shows that Linerock Investments Ltd has an address in Moscow and is also 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]. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. 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. People can select which photos they want to turn into cartoons, and the app will generate thoseimages into caricatures. 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. Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV "because Faucis gain of function study used a contaminated Hepatitis B vaccine. According to the new app's promotional material: 'The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. 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. The spokesperson said the app stores are crowded with similarly named apps, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases. More info, Tens of thousands of people have been uploading their photographs to the servers of the New Profile Pic app in exchange for the free avatar. This quickly changed now to Florida, Ritter noted. 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. Here is what we found out. The app can be downloaded to your device, and allows the sending of data including your location and access to other social media images on your feeds. View our online Press Pack. We need your help. Lunina said the apps permissions arent much different from those on Instagram or TikTok. '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. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Polezhaeva told VERIFY all user photos are hosted and processed on Amazon and Microsoft servers, which are based in the U.S. and are outside the Russian Federation. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The fact-checker also claims the money taken out of peoples bank accounts has been unconfirmed. 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Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The app, NewProfilePic is run by the company, Linerock Investments Ltd which is registered in Moscow, Russia. Kathleen Polezhaeva of Linerock Investments Ltd told MailOnline: 'We are a BVI company with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Rishi Sunak warns MPs they can't trust 'Mr 2nd Referendum' Keir Starmer on Brexit in meeting with backbench DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Rishi Sunak's vaunted Brexit deal could be a landmark achievement, Rishi's deal gives Brexit a second chance. The comments below have not been moderated. 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. He updated it yesterday after seeing its part in the Daily Mail post, she said in the email. Box 438, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands. There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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. 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. Published: 11:32 GMT, 11 May 2022 | Updated: 18:02 GMT, 12 May 2022. 'All user photos are hosted and processed on the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers, which are located outside the Russian Federation. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, When we clicked on the apps privacy policy for both Google and Apple, we were directed to Linerock Investments website. The company behind the App is called Linerock Investments Ltd, who according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks A shareholder is located in Panama City, while a director is located in Russia. But, express permission is required. 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. 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. Was the money refunded? One person shared a screenshot of the requested app permissions and wrote: "DO NOT download the NEW PROFILE PIC.COM APP it takes all your information and sends it to Moscow!!!!!!!". Linerock Investments, LTD is a private company. Our app is being developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. After, The Daily Mail and others reported the app was created in Russia. Oscar Cainer reveals all. However, a check of Sunbiz found no company named Linerock Investments Ltd operating or doing business in Florida. VERIFY reached out to Amazon and Microsoft to confirm but did not hear back at the time of publication. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. Despite the app's popularity, recent claims online question the app's data collection, privacy policies and ties to Russia following a story from the British tabloid Daily Mail with the headline: Russia after YOUR personal data? In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Snopes does say that people should be aware that the access they grant when they download any app but again NewProfilePic isnt out of the ordinary. Tens of thousands of people have already uploaded their photographs to the servers of the New Profile Pic app. WebLinerock Investments LTD. Worldwide Totals (17 apps) Period: Last 30 Days. The UKs Daily Mail posted an article today alleging that NewProfilePic is likely to hoover up your data and send it to Moscow all because the app has been developed by a tech company based in Moscow. WebLinerock Investments, LTD | 139 followers on LinkedIn. The permissions listed in the above-displayed image aren't out of the ordinary, in terms of what many popular mobile apps do. 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. Another popular social media rumor claimed that people had money taken out of their bank accounts shortly after downloading this app. Moreover, the claims of the apps Russian connection go down to one reason. 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. The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to turn your profile picture into artwork, but it is raising concern among cybersecurity experts over its Russian links. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock is registered in Moscow and has a Russian director. The Daily Mail reported that this app was developed by a All we can do is explain patiently that all our apps (including NewProfilePic) are NOT a threat. 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. WebLinerock Investments Ltd. Get a D&B Hoovers Free Trial Overview Company Description: ? Apple will pay customers $700 for a slowed-down iPhone. Ritter warns the app, like many, could be collecting data. TikToks privacy policy also says certain data is collected when registering to use the platform. 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 number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. "The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries. 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