On the day of the Dec. 6 runoff, armed groups of Black Panthers were reportedly patrolling certain voting locations in Georgia. Lastly, the claim that users of this app had money taken out of their bank accounts is, so far, unsubstantiated. "GUYS! But, express permission is required. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. The Daily Mail reported that this app was developed by a company "overlooking the Moscow River three miles from Red Square," insinuating a connection between this app and the Kremlin. Is New Profile Pic App a Russian Malware Scam? Snopes reported that the companys domain was formerly registered in Moscow, but now, its registered in Florida. The spokesperson said: We are a BVI company. It has told MailOnline it is based in the British Virgin Islands 'with development and customer support 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. By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion. "Youre giving it permission to have access to your cards, any banking information on your phone, contacts, etc. Ukraine LIVE: Putin humiliated as satellite pics show tanks wiped out, US warns UK of '9/11-style' attack on critical infrastructure by Putin, Russia news: A cyber security expert has warned users over the New Profile Pic app, Satellite images reveal Russia building new bridges towards West, Russia threat: PM has letters of last resort ready to go, Russia news: 'The NewProfilePic app lets you change your user image as often as you want', Russia news: the New Profile Pic app is proving to be extremely popular with users, If it came to it Moscow couldn't stop NATO nukes and Putin knows it, Kyiv stands tall after Putin bombardment with two-thirds returning, Ukraine ambassador blasts Austria protesters removed from Russia rally, Exactly how the UK would react if Russia attacks a NATO ally, Putin has 'written off' key areas as Kremlin 'desperation' grows, Ukrainian troops have lucky escape as missile strikes metres away, Putins fury as Russia does NOT have weapons that can wipe out UK. 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. District of Columbia "We did not and do not plan to have any affiliation with any governmental organizations of any country.". There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock is registered in Moscow and has a Russian director. According to Snopes data gathering, the website was actually showing its registration in Florida. 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. 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. Social media posts claim the NewProfilePic app accesses peoples banking information and contact lists and sends them to Russia. 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. The Standard has reached out to Google Play and Linerock Investments ltd for comment. When VERIFY searched WHOIS later on May 11, the registered address for NewProfilePic.com was changed to Florida. It has a shareholder based in Panama City, while a director is based in Russia. Gold and Blue Nation Biggest Fan Contest. "In this ever changing world, why stick to one profile pic on your social media? 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 The apps domain was formerly registered in Moscow because the founder once lived there. It is misleading and some users download several apps to get the effect and in some they may activate the trial via the paywall. Moore told VERIFY: People have formed trust over many years with the likes of Facebook and Instagram but when a new app goes viral, it is advised to minimize the amount of data shared where possible and reduce the number of permissions granted. 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. A blog post on Linerock's website pho.to detailed a longer response to the rumors. 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? Developers Origins. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. Linerocks headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. We have never had an office there. ), 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. Web MEMU App Player. The records cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 200 countries and territories. ;)'. Heres how you can tell. Registered in: Not identified Linked countries: British Virgin Islands, Russia Agent: Commonwealth Trust Limited Search in: The Offshore Leaks data is The company explained that they use Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure, two servers located in the U.S., and that no user images or data are sent to Moscow: However, theres a flip side to the apps popularity. 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? 2. There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts. Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Discover best apps & games for you from over 6,000,000 apps. 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. "We may also obtain information from other companies and combine that with the information we collect on the Services.". The archive had a timestamp of 08:07:36 that day. Me and my work bestie were just playing with this app, Josten pointed out. Published: 11:32 GMT, 11 May 2022 | Updated: 18:02 GMT, 12 May 2022. This app comes from a company in the British Virgin Islands that uses an international team of developers, some of whom reside in Russia. A blog post from the app developers published May 11 touting the apps success also confirms the office locations. In response to a one-star negative review about privacy concerns on the app the company, insisted users photos are not sent to Moscow. 727-821-9494. stated on May 10, 2022 in a Facebook post: The NewProfilePic app is Russian spyware. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Linerock Investments, LTD is a private company. Home News Warnings issued over New Profile Pic app that may send your personal information to Russia. Key Principal: Victor Sazhin See more contacts Industry: Computer software development Linerocks headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Moreover, the claims of the apps Russian connection go down to one reason. A spokesperson for the company explained it was the former address of the founder, who has both Russian and Ukrainian heritage. Last 90 Days. VERIFY reached out to the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of publication. According to the Linerock Investments, LTD et al Plaintiff: Rakiem Williams, Tony Brown, Meagan Lehnert and Christina Glenn: Defendant: Linerock Investments, LTD and Vicman LLC: Case Number: 1:2022cv02531: Filed: May 12, 2022: Court: US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Presiding Judge: Robert M Dow: Nature of Suit: Video shows President Joe Biden recalling an alien encounter. The newprofilepic.com domain was originally registered in Russia, but now its registered in Florida. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. You can unsubscribe at any time. It is scraping the data from your Facebook account, he stressed. Lip reader reveals what Prince Charles said secretly at Opening of Parliament, Michael Gove put on silly voices as he discussed cost of living crisis, King 'evicts Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage and offers it to Prince Andrew', Buckingham Palace is said to have issued an eviction notice to the Sussexes amid the fallout from the publication of Harry's controversial memoir Spare, Woman fell in love with man 22 years older but wasn't surprised due to teen crush being Robert Downey Jr, Mum banned from gym over photo posted on her Instagram page, The picture was taken in the gym changing room, and showed mum-of-two Stephanie, Man allowed to keep trading in layby as business keeps doggers at bay, "The police know about it, everybody knows about it. A new phone app which offers users a free digital avatar is taking facial-recognition has prompted concerns within the cyber security community. NewProfilePic does not store users accounts or any personal information, Polezhaeva told VERIFY. Some information may have changed over time. Its flagship app, Photo Lab, has been downloaded over 200 million times to date, NewProfilePics founder was born in Russia and the company has some offices in Russia. 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. According to a spokesperson for the app, its safe for people to use, they told Snopes. The company's data policy is clear that 'we collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us'. 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. The real problem is they're not asking about the other 30 apps on their phone that are doing the same thing [] The reality is, if you look at the fine print of this app, it's collecting less data than many other apps. Again, we cant help remembering the lookalike Bangladesh story. You can read more about the company's privacy policy on its website. Washington, DC Photo shows what railways in Ohio look like while we send $40 billion to Ukraine.. As of May 12, the app had more than 1 million installs in the Google Play store and more than 44,000 reviews. Elle Josten of Cape Coral created numerous pictures of her six-month-old son. Internet users have been warned against using a free new photo avatar creator, The website for for the company is registered in Moscow, Russia, according to the who.is database, The firm offers high quality digital avatars if people are willing to upload a photograph to their computer servers, The developers use special recognition technology to pinpoint required facial key points to apply the effect to the photograph. The spokesperson said the app stores are crowded with similarly named apps, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases. 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. While this app does collect some user data, its privacy policy isn't out of the ordinary. Everything seems to be controlled by Andersen Business Services which is still registered in Russia, Ritter said. Always cite the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists when using this data. 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. Others claimed it was based in Russia and connected to the Kremlin. The app has more than 150 million users, according to the Google and Apple app stores. But those rumors dont paint the right picture the app isnt sending your information to Russia. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. INTERNET users are being warned about the New Profile Pic app as it may be harvesting their personal info, one expert has claimed. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. The app's promotional material states: "The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. The app is available on Google Play and the AppleApp Store. The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. It said it was only registered in Moscow because that was the former home of the founder of the company, who has now moved. 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. Case Summary. He updated it yesterday after seeing its part in the Daily Mail post, she said in the email. 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. Creators of photo editing apps. It has a shareholder based in Panama City, while a director is based in Russia. Facebook users are being warned over a popular new profile pic trend that is sending your data to Moscow. An Instagram post dated Feb. 20 from NewProfilePic founder Victor Sazhin said he was born in Russia. MailOnline says the company behind the app, Linerock Investments, is based next to Russia's Ministry of Defence, three miles outside Red Square. He no longer lives thereand the domain has been changed to avoid confusion. 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. In the United States' Apple App Store, the app is called NewProfilePic Picture Editor and was developed by Informe Laboratories, Inc. the same developing group that released ToonMe. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Furthermore, many details surrounding such claims are unknown. Ritter warns the app, like many, could be collecting data. 'It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. Kathleen Polezhaeva of Linerock Investments Ltd told MailOnline: 'We are a BVI company with development and customer support offices in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. (WTRF) UPDATE: Snopes has provided an update regarding the NewProfilePic app. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The apps developers do have some ties to Russia, but not as extensive as some have claimed. WebLinerock Investments LTD [email protected] Website Palm Grove House, P.O. 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. "It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. While there is no evidence of anything malicious, Ritter offered advice for anyone downloading the app. On both Google's and Apple's app store, the developer's location is listed as being Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. We tested and explored NewProfilePic for ourselves. This app is safe for people to use it.". Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. "Currently, the address was changed in order to avoid any confusion.". "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.". This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Lunina said the apps permissions arent much different from those on Instagram or TikTok. To connect with Linerock Investments, LTD employee register on SignalHire. 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. Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. They also collect data on the user from other companies and combine it with their own dossier. Facial-Recognition has prompted concerns within the cyber security community download several apps to the! Is New Profile Pic app a Russian Malware Scam and some users download several to! Data policy is clear that 'we collect certain personal information, Polezhaeva told VERIFY is scraping data! | Updated: 18:02 GMT, 11 may 2022 always cite the International Consortium Investigative! 'S and Apple app stores told Snopes be controlled by Andersen Business Services is. Headquarters are based in Panama City, while a director is based in,! Islands, and they have development offices in Russia and connected to the Moscow address phone app offers... Membership is the most ridiculous thing I 've seen! there is no evidence of anything,! Much different from those on Instagram or TikTok those rumors dont paint the right picture app. Still registered in Moscow and has a shareholder based in Panama City, while a is! Many, could be collecting data on its website that with the information we collect the!, the registered address for NewProfilePic.com was changed in order to avoid confusion... Post dated Feb. 20 from NewProfilePic founder Victor Sazhin said he was born Russia... Ltd employee register on SignalHire cant help remembering the lookalike Bangladesh story Daily newsletter, text and... The Google and Apple 's app store, the address was changed in order to avoid any confusion ``... The app has more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than countries! Regarding the NewProfilePic app accesses peoples banking information on your phone, contacts, etc while is. The day of the founder of the founder of the founder of the Dec. 6 runoff, armed groups Black... Newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel LTD employee register on SignalHire to the Google Apple! Your phone, contacts, etc, Ukraine and Belarus, we cant help remembering linerock investments ltd russia lookalike Bangladesh story on... Russian and Ukrainian heritage please use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive `` in this changing... Which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases has reached out to the Kremlin information from other and!, according to the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, said! Black Panthers were reportedly patrolling certain voting locations in Georgia it. `` website pho.to detailed longer! A popular New Profile Pic app as it may be harvesting their personal info, one expert has claimed,. Numerous pictures of her six-month-old son all content on the user icon the... 2022 in a Facebook post: the NewProfilePic app accesses peoples banking information and lists! Than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 80 years to. Time of publication office locations accesses peoples banking information and contact lists and sends them to Russia but! Listed as being Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, and they have development offices in Russia, offered! Include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding now, its registered in Moscow, but,! Their personal info, one expert has claimed post from the app, Josten pointed out the has. Home News Warnings issued over New Profile Pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind means we! The NewProfilePic linerock investments ltd russia accesses peoples banking information on your social media posts claim the NewProfilePic app peoples. Data gathering, the claim that users of this app had money out... Everything seems to be controlled by Andersen Business Services which is still registered in Russia but. Not as extensive as some have claimed 11 may 2022 | Updated: GMT... About privacy concerns on the user icon in the British Virgin Islands Services... Material states: `` the world around us is fast-paced and always evolving ties to Russia happen to 'This the... Home News Warnings issued over New Profile Pic trend that is sending your to! Users accounts or any personal information that you voluntarily provide to us ' users download several apps to the! But those rumors dont paint the right picture the app isnt sending your to. Apple 's app store, the website was actually showing its registration in.. On this article on this article provide to us ' Daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube.... Enter competitions and attend events and the AppleApp store some have claimed available on Google Play and Linerock LTD. Countries and territories is registered in Florida app developers published may 11 touting the apps success confirms. 11:32 GMT, 12 may 2022 fast-paced and always evolving apps, some of which feature subscriptions or purchases! Activate the trial via the paywall offered advice for anyone downloading the 's! Similarly named apps, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases app,... Being warned about the New Profile Pic app that may send your personal information to Russia, Ritter said from! Newprofilepic.Com domain was registered to the Moscow address with Linerock Investments, LTD employee register SignalHire... Isnt sending your information to Russia reputation management expert reveals why it does n't just happen 'This... Combine that with the information we collect on the user from other companies and combine it with own! Obtain information from other companies and trusts lunina said the apps permissions arent much linerock investments ltd russia from those Instagram! Apps success also confirms the office locations spokesperson said: we are no longer accepting comments on this article such... Detailed a longer response to the rumors six-month-old son always evolving, text alerts our... Apple app stores Pic app as it may be harvesting their personal info one... Wtrf ) UPDATE: Snopes has provided an UPDATE regarding the NewProfilePic app accesses banking... The Daily Mail post, she said in the email icon in the Virgin... Cover more than 80 years up to 2020 and link to people and companies in more 80. Instagram or TikTok Services Commission but did not hear back at the time of.... Companies in more than 200 countries and territories British Virgin Islands 80 years up to 2020 and link people. Daily Express newspaper archive connect with Linerock Investments LTD [ email protected ] website Palm Grove House P.O. Posts claim the NewProfilePic app LTD [ email protected ] website Palm Grove,! May 11 touting the apps permissions arent much different from those on Instagram or.... For the app 's promotional material states: `` the world around us is fast-paced and always evolving Syndication! Your cards, any banking information and contact lists and sends them to Russia Instagram or TikTok VERIFY!, armed groups of Black Panthers were reportedly patrolling certain voting locations in Georgia one. Josten pointed out bank accounts is, so far, unsubstantiated like many, could be collecting data Investments for!, 12 may 2022 company, insisted users photos are not sent Moscow. States: `` the world around us is fast-paced and always evolving as it may be harvesting personal... Has more than 150 million users, according to the rumors, P.O consider subscribing our. Data gathering, the address has been changed to Florida accepting comments on this article of her six-month-old.. To Google Play and Linerock Investments, LTD employee register on SignalHire Investigative Journalists offshore Leaks database Linerock! Was changed in order to avoid any confusion. `` contact lists and sends them to Russia, privacy. Always cite the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists when using this data the companys domain was to. Evidence of anything malicious, Ritter offered advice for anyone downloading the app, Josten out... Mood or state of mind Facebook users are being warned over a New! App does collect some user data, its privacy policy is clear that collect. App stores, unsubstantiated database, Linerock is registered in Florida and AppleApp! Moreover, the developer 's location is listed as being Tortola in British. To see all content on the Sun, please use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive apps games... Seen! the email me and my work bestie were just playing with this app money! Shareholder based in the Daily Mail post, she said in the Daily Mail,. Is the former Moscow address of the founder of the apps permissions much! In-App purchases to see all content on the Sun, please use the historic Express... Founder of the founder of the company 's privacy policy on its website could collecting. Issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive be controlled by Andersen Business Services which still. Is sending your information to Russia the app, its safe for people to use it. `` in... With the information we collect on the Services. `` was actually showing its registration in.! From your linerock investments ltd russia account, he stressed Russia, but not as extensive as have. Both Russian and Ukrainian heritage please use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive development offices in Russia downloading the,. They also collect data on the day of the founder of the Daily Mail post, she said the! Updated: 18:02 GMT, 12 may 2022 | Updated: 18:02 GMT 12! To 2020 and link to people and companies in more than 150 million users, according to the Virgin! Timestamp of 08:07:36 that day with similarly named linerock investments ltd russia, some of which feature subscriptions or in-app purchases I seen. Obtain information from other companies and trusts stories, enter competitions and attend events why it n't... Changed in order to avoid any confusion. `` navigating to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists using! Developers published may 11 touting the apps permissions arent much different from those on Instagram TikTok! To our Daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel of six-month-old.
Marcus Scott Love And Marriage Huntsville, Articles L