{"id":15372,"date":"2023-04-25T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/integritech.io\/?p=15372"},"modified":"2023-03-08T15:46:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T15:46:23","slug":"why-you-need-to-think-twice-before-using-lensa-ai-other-self-portrait-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/integritech.io\/why-you-need-to-think-twice-before-using-lensa-ai-other-self-portrait-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Need to Think Twice Before Using Lensa AI & Other Self-Portrait Apps"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a common theme. You begin seeing these amazing CGI images of your friends on Facebook or Instagram. You think, \u201cHow can I make one?\u201d<\/p>

Filters and self-portrait apps have come a long way. You can now make yourself look like Hollywood\u2019s version of a character in the next hit animated film. It still kind of looks like you, only a dream version with \u201cperfect\u201d hair, skin, and facial features.<\/p>

The latest of these modern vanity marvels to make the rounds is Lensa AI. You upload about 10 photos so the app can feed that data into its AI algorithm. Then, once it maps your facial features, it generates several fantasy selfies of you.<\/p>

These magical avatars don\u2019t come for free though. While you can download the app for free and use it in a limited fashion, you need to pay to do more. To get unlimited access for one week, it\u2019s $2.99. There are several pricing tiers<\/a> for its avatar packs and membership access. These range from $3.99 for Avatars Pack 1 to $35.99 for full membership.<\/p>

It sounds like a little harmless digital fun, right? That\u2019s what many companies making apps like this like you to think. Vanity is an easy sell, and who doesn\u2019t want to have a fabulous profile pic?<\/p>

But for Lensa AI and several similar self-portrait apps, you\u2019re paying more than you know. The cost comes from the data privacy rights you\u2019re giving up. And these can go far beyond the app itself.<\/p>

Why Worry About Data Privacy with Lensa AI & Similar Apps?<\/h2>

Thanks to laws like GDPR, software and app developers need to tell you what they do with your data. Looking at the app at the Mac App Store, a few alarming things jump out.<\/p>

Data Used to Track You<\/h3>

Once you download the Lensa AI app, it can track your phone activity. The app store states that the app may use purchases and unique identifiers to track you. And this doesn\u2019t mean only tracking you while in Lensa AI. It can track you across websites and apps owned by other companies.<\/p>

Data Collected<\/h3>

Lensa AI scours your device for a lot of different data points. By downloading it, you permit it to do this. Some of the tracking links to you personally (such as linked to your name, IP address, or phone number). It collects a lot of other data, but not with your name or another identifier on it.<\/p>

Data collected and linked to you:<\/p>