In 2015, Snapchat introduced face filters onto its app and into our lives. Then Instagram got involved, followed by Facebook, and the hundreds of apps that have come in its wake since. In the four years since then, the face filter technology has come leaps and bounds and what started as a fun way to puke up rainbows and sport dog ears has turned into a disturbingly realistic glimpse into our futures and a stark reminder of our own mortality. Think grey hair, age spots and wrinkles, because thanks to the new viral FaceApp Age Challenge which has taken off this week, our feeds have been filled with images of everyone and their mothers reimagined as hyper-realistic OAPs.
In case you are one of the two people in the world who hasn’t come across this viral trend yet, let us explain. FaceApp allows users to upload pictures of their face and apply various AI filters which realistically transform the face into anything from the opposite gender to a pensioner. If you are curious to peer into the future and find what your favourite celebrities will look like in 50 years, look for further. Be warned though, if you are thinking of trying the challenge for yourself, FaceApp has raised concerns in the past over its privacy policy.
