Facebook users have been warned against using a new phone app which allows people to change pictures into free digital avatars through facial recognition.
Major cybersecurity concerns have been raised within the tech security industry over the app, as after registering for the app, the user's data is reportedly sent to Moscow.
Tens of thousands of people have already uploaded their photographs to the New Profile Pic app server, which creates an almost caricature style avatar from the image.
Unsuspecting users are unaware that the app is owned by Linerock Investments, which is based in an apartment complex overlooking the Moscow River, beside Russia's Ministry of Defence and just three miles from Red Square, according to Mail Online .
Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET Internet Security, told the publication: "This app is likely a way of capturing people's faces in high resolution, and I would question any app wanting this amount of data, especially one which is largely unheard of and based in another country."
The app uses facial recognition technology to find key points on an image of your face uploaded to the servers and then renders a new version.
According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks database, Linerock is registered in Moscow and has a Russian director.
In 2017, a St Petersburg-based company released FaceApp, which allowed users to upload a photograph which would be aged using Artificial Intelligence.
The viral challenge prompted warnings from security experts about the amount of data the app was sending to Russia, as the Mirror UK reports.
The new app's promotional material states: "The world around us is fast-paced and always evolving. In this ever changing world, why stick to one profile pic on your social media? Let it be different, always new and… made by AI!
"The NewProfilePic app lets you change your user image style as often as you want. Dare to be different, with a profile pic that reflects your current mood or state of mind. Impress your friends on social media and keep them interested in what's coming next! ;)"
By downloading the app, users are sharing their location, details about the device they are using, and photographs and other information on their social media accounts and feeds.
The company's data policy states: "we collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide to us".
It adds: 'We collect your name, email address, user name, social network information and other information you provide when you register.'
They also collect data on the user from other companies and combine it with their own dossier.
The firm also collects the IP address, browser type and settings from a computer or the device data from a mobile phone handset.
The app is number one in photos on the Apple app store and has been rated 25,000 times on Google Play.
A spokesperson told MailOnline: "We are a BVI company with development offices in Russia, Ukraine , and Belarus.
"The top management of the company and the managers of the majority of the projects, including myself, are based out of these countries.
"All user photos are hosted and processed on the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers, which are located outside the Russian Federation.
"The address on Moscow River is the address of lawyers who registered the company. We have never had an office there.
"It is true that the domain was registered to the Moscow address. It is the former Moscow address of the founder of the company. He does not live in the Russian Federation at the moment. By now the address has been changed in order to avoid any confusion."
The spokesperson stressed the company is not affiliated with any particular government or country.
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.
READ MORE:Chilling Vladimir Putin news coming out of Russia just days after Ireland threat
READ MORE: Ireland's official nuclear emergency plan if Russia were to attempt nuke nearby
