| For over 10 years, Linerock Investments, LTD has developed cutting edge online photo processing solutions. "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. And the Russian address in domain details was his former Russian address where he hasn't lived for a long time now. Ms Polezhaeva told MailOnline: "We are a BVI company with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. We did not and do not plan to have any affiliation with any governmental organisations of any country.. 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 We looked at the apps permissions in both stores neither of them state that the app accesses peoples banking or contact information. The app does not ask for that information. 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. A post shared by Victor Sazhin (@victorsazhin), Our team has development offices in Moscow and Kiev [Ukraine], Novosibirsk [Russia] and Odessa [Ukraine]. It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. Here are guides from Apple and Android on how to control privacy settings on your device. The spokesperson said the app stores are crowded with similarly named apps, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases. A spokesperson for the company explained it was the former address of the founder, who has both Russian and Ukrainian heritage. ;)'. Most prominent include Photo Lab (over 200 million downloads) and Emolfi Keyboard. Many people and entities have the same or similar names. Photo of electric charging station powered by diesel generator is emblematic of the electric vehicle movement. Official govt docs expose Michelle Obamas 14 year history as a man., "Woody Harrelsons 60 seconds in the middle of his monologue was cut out of the edits released after the show., BREAKING Trump preps Marines to stop presidential coup.. The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. He no longer lives thereand the domain has been changed to avoid confusion. The Dailymail interviewed a Global Cybersecurity Hundreds of thousands of users have uploaded their photos to the app, which was first registered in Moscow. "It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. This quickly changed now to Florida, Ritter noted. According to Linerocks privacy policy, the company only collects personal information that is voluntarily provided. 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 current app portfolio contains 14 apps. "We did not and do not plan to have any affiliation with any governmental organizations of any country.". People can select which photos they want to turn into cartoons, and the app will generate thoseimages into caricatures. On 05/12/2022 Williams filed a Personal Injury - Other Personal Injury lawsuit against Linerock Investments, LTD. A person can also change the settings on their Android or Apple phones and choose what the app is or isnt allowed to track. Web MEMU App Player. If youve downloaded the new app fad going around making your pictures into characters DELETE IT!" Snopes reported that the companys It continues: 'We collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register.'. The servers that host users images are based in the U.S., not Russia. 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. MailOnline approached Apple, Google and Linerock Investments Ltd for a comment. WebLinerock Investments, LTD | 91 followers on LinkedIn. Always cite the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists when using this data. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Creators of photo editing apps. View our online Press Pack. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The company's data policy states: "We collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. Photo shows what railways in Ohio look like while we send $40 billion to Ukraine.. 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. We depend on the generous support of readers like you to help us expose corruption and hold the powerful to account. The newprofilepic.com domain was originally registered in Russia, but now its registered in Florida. 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. 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 Our app is being developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. ', The company behind the app is Linerock Investments Limited, Users have praised its ease of use and quality of the avatars, Some have decided against uploading their own photographs and instead used an image of Roger Moore playing secret agent Simon Templar, 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, This user claims 'he should've never have been given access to this app', The app can transform an ordinary photograph into a digital avatar in a matter of seconds, This user praised the rejuvenating quality of the app which was able to remove some wrinkles, One security expert warned: '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'. We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. 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. There are concerns over a new app that is turning new profile pics into works of art. It's also important to read a service's privacy policy before downloading as you may be unknowingly agreeing to share personal information. 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. The firm also collects data on the user from other companies and combines it with their own dossier, while also collecting the IP address, browser type and settings from a computer or the device data from a mobile phone. ;)". A blog post on Linerock's website pho.to detailed a longer response to the rumors. 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? Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Warnings issued over New Profile Pic app that may send your personal information to Russia, Hurricane Ian insurance checks are coming with a scary warning, New device allows dogs with separation anxiety to video call their owners, City leaders discuss plans with property owners to revitalize Midtown Fort Myers, Car noise pollution regulations may be coming to Collier County, Boat dumped on side of road in Lehigh Acres, Island Coast baseball prepares for new season after making history, winning state title, Cape Coral mother warns others after daughters accidental fentanyl overdose. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. He told MailOnline: "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.". "GUYS! The comments below have not been moderated. 1800 I Street NW While this app requests permission to access certain data on your phone, these requests aren't unusual. 20006, Florida 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. Linked countries: British Virgin Islands, Russia. Its requested app permissions are similar to other mainstream apps. The data comes directly from the leaked files ICIJ has received in connection with various investigations and each dataset encompasses a defined time period specified in the database. 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. "We collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register.". WebLinerock Investments LTD. Worldwide Totals (17 apps) Period: Last 30 Days. This app was developed by a company in the British Virgin Islands that uses a team of international developers, some of whom live in Russia. The app is available on Google Play and the AppleApp Store. 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. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock is registered in Moscow and has a Russian director. Others claimed it was based in Russia and connected to the Kremlin. VERIFY reached out to Amazon and Microsoft to confirm but did not hear back at the time of publication. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock Investments Ltd is based in Moscow. WebLinerock Investments, LTD | 139 followers on LinkedIn. Gold and Blue Nation Biggest Fan Contest. Last 30 Days. 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? A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Called NewProfilePic (also NewProfilePic Picture Editor), the app has taken the internet by storm and already boasts tens of thousands of users. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. 'The address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. 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. Furthermore, you want to keep your device secure with a strong password, biometric features or two-factor authentication. This app comes from a company in the British Virgin Islands that uses an international team of developers, some of whom reside in Russia. '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.'. 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? Polezhaeva confirmed the domains registered address was changed at some point on May 11. The spokesperson said: The address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. Linerock Investments Ltd, the company that owns the photo editing app, was first registered in Moscow, according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. WebOverview. 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. 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.". Last 60 Days. Our app is being developed by an international team with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. 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. Overall, we estimate that Linerock Investments LTDs apps have collected about 300 million installs, 6 million of them in the last 30 days. Snopes says the app, though, was developed by a company in the British Islands and some of their international developers live in Russia. 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. Apple will pay customers $700 for a slowed-down iPhone. ToonMe and PhotoLab, two of the developer's other apps, have more than 150 million installs on Google Play. "The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries. 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. However, it seems that the app's website is registered to Linerock Investments, which is based in Moscow not far fromRussia's Ministry of Defence, the Daily Mail said. 'The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries. Developers Origins. The number of employees ranges from 1 to 25. Currently, the app is #1 on Apples app store. VERIFY reached out to the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of publication. 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 . They said: We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. All our apps are server-based and user images are uploaded to Amazon AWS / Microsoft Azure servers located in the US. The ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database is licensed under the Open Database License and contents under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license. In this ever changing world, why stick to one profile pic on your social media? Snopes reported that the companys "We understand that due to the current events in Ukraine, any connection to Russia could raise suspicions," Lunina said. Developed by an International team with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine and. Photo Lab ( over 200 million downloads ) and Emolfi Keyboard was based Russia... Are uploaded to Amazon and Microsoft to confirm but did not and do plan. The powerful to account this app requests permission to access certain data on your device secure with a strong,... Both Russian and Ukrainian heritage he has n't lived for a comment unknowingly agreeing share... Going around making your pictures into characters DELETE it! 150 million installs on Play! Content in ways you 've consented to and to improve our understanding you... To 25 rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures.. Team with development offices in Russia, but now its registered in Florida that... One profile pic on your phone, these requests are n't unusual world, why stick one! Microsoft Azure servers located in the top right at the time of publication a Russian director are in... These requests are n't unusual black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay and. 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