{"id":2598,"date":"2020-06-22T18:09:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T10:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=2598"},"modified":"2020-09-14T22:41:20","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T14:41:20","slug":"faceapp-gender-swap-filter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/faceapp-gender-swap-filter\/","title":{"rendered":"Gender Swap Filter All The Rage With Vietnamese Netizens, But Here’s Why We Should Be Cautious With It"},"content":{"rendered":"

FaceApp gender swap filter goes viral in Vietnam<\/span><\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s hard to imagine life without our smartphones, which keep us connected to what\u2019s popular. Vietnamese smartphone users are indeed spending more time taking photos<\/a>, embarking on trending challenges on social media platforms<\/a>, as well as trying out different filters.<\/p>\n

One trend that\u2019s been reigning supreme<\/strong> for the past week is FaceApp<\/strong>, a popular photo editing application first launched in 2017 and is now surging in popularity again. Its newly updated gender-swapping filter<\/strong>, which lets the user transform their face into that of the opposite gender, is taking the Internet by storm.<\/p>\n

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The gender swap filter is Vietnam\u2019s latest viral Internet obsession<\/h3>\n
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FaceApp\u2019s gender swap filter<\/strong> started to cause a splash online after some local celebrities, such as Tran Thanh, Truc Nhan, and Ngo Kien Huy used it on their photos and shared them with their followers online. Those photos cracked netizens up and caused many to download the app and use the filter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"NgoMale singer Ngo Kien Huy\u2019s photo before and after applying a gender swap filter<\/em>
\nImage adapted from: <\/em>Ngo Kien Huy<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>MC Tr\u1ea5n Th\u00e0nh<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Photos capturing users\u2019 transformations into the opposite gender and beautified with app tools<\/strong> have been widely shared across many social media platforms.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"TRUC
\nMale singer Truc Nhan\u2019s photo before and after applying a gender swap filter
\n<\/em>Image adapted from: <\/em>Tr\u00fac Nh\u00e2n<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>MC Tr\u1ea5n Th\u00e0nh<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Some even use the filters on their friends\u2019 pictures and create funny memes.<\/p>\n

\"VTV\"
\nA VTV news anchor showing his face with gender-swap filter on when on air
\n<\/em>Image credit: <\/em>Beatvn<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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FaceApp and its risks<\/h3>\n
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FaceApp<\/strong> is a Russian smartphone application that allows users to beautify their selfies or photos with various tools, such as makeup, hair styling, and backgrounds. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Curious users can even have fun by applying gender swap or age filters <\/strong>on their filters to picture themselves as being the opposite gender, older, or younger.<\/p>\n

\"FaceApp\"Image credit: <\/em>App Store Preview<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Despite its various features that enhance the user\u2019s photos, the app has raised some concerns over user privacy. Just like any highly downloaded app, some wonder about whether or not the uploaded photos will be used solely within the app itself or shared with a third party and reused for another purpose, such as identity theft or impersonation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are no definite answers to those questions yet, but what we know is that no application is risk-free<\/strong>, especially with a free service that has viral potential. After all, we often give up some personal data in exchange for using something for free.<\/p>\n

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FaceApp\u2019s gender swap filter is fun, but may come with unknown risks<\/span><\/h3>\n
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There is no denying that photo editing applications and their beautifying features give your photos major upgrades, especially if you\u2019re not Photoshop-savvy. These applications are easy to download and user-friendly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, let\u2019s not forget that there are two faces to any service that is free and enjoyable. You can have fun playing around with your photos, but be wary of the risks <\/strong>and do some research <\/strong>about the personal information mobile apps share before downloading or using them.<\/p>\n

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