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Face changing app sparks privacy concerns

Face-swap app Zao has gone viral on social media, but those who have used it were warned of potential risks. The main attraction of the app is that people can replace the face of actors or actresses in movies with their own to produce a video clip that puts themselves in scenes like Titanic or Romeo and Juliet. Many people have tried and shared such video clips on WeChat Moments, creating a stir. Developed by dating app Momo, it uses artificial intelligence technology to swap faces for its users. Industry observers warned that authorization of photos to commercial companies may invite stealth capture of facial features that can be used to duplicate a face. It may pose dangers in functions like payments through facial recognition. In the United States, imagery produced by the technology are called deepfakes. Hollywood star Gal Gadot was a victim of the technology, with pictures manipulated to make a pornographic video. It is being boycotted in the US.

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