Is FaceApp an evil plot by 'the Russians' to steal your data? Not quite | Arwa Mahdawi

Following the panic over this viral app, the moral of the story is: don't worry too much about 'the Russians'. You should worry about everything

Over the last few days the #faceappchallenge has taken over social media. This "challenge" involves downloading a selfie-editing tool called FaceApp and using one of its filters to digitally age your face. You then post the photo of your wizened old self on the internet and everyone laughs uproariously. You get a small surge of dopamine from gathering a few online likes before existential ennui sets in once again. Challenge completed.

On Monday, as the #faceappchallenge went viral, Joshua Nozzi, a software developer, warned people to "BE CAREFUL WITH FACEAPP".it immediately uploads your photos without asking, whether you chose one or not". Some media outlets picked this claim up and privacy concerns about the app began to mount.