New face swap app ZAO goes viral

A face-swap application ZAO has spread like a virus across Chinese social platforms overnight, but those who have used it were warned of potential risks.

The main attraction of ZAO is that people can replace the face of actors or actresses in movies with their own to produce a video clip that makes themselves in scenes like Titanic, the Gang of New York or Romeo and Juliet. 

Many people tried and shared such video clips on the Moments of the WeChat to make a stir.

By noon on Saturday, the downloads of ZAO had climbed to ninth place on the free app list on the Apple App Store and the second as an entertainment software since its debut on Friday.

It is available both on iOS and Android platforms. People now have to enter a verification code to download due to its large downloads in such a short time.

The ZAO app was introduced by MoMo, a social app developer.The app uses artificial intelligence technology to swap faces for its users. After inputting a clear selfie and choosing a footage from classic movies or TV series, you can play any role you like.

However, the function has caused debates over its safety. Industry observers warned that authorization of photos to commercial companies may invite stealth of facial features that can be used to duplicate a face. It may pose dangers in functions like payment through facial recognition. 

In the United States, the technology has been named deepfakes. Hollywood star Gal Gadot was a victim of the technology, with pictures manipulated to make a pornographic video. It is now being boycotted in the US.

Meanwhile, the app also raises problems about users’ privacy.