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BeReal has taken the world by storm since its launch in 2020, with millions of people sharing just one unfiltered photo every day.
But cybersecurity experts warn that the platform is plagued by privacy concerns and has reportedly owned the rights to your photos for three decades.
The claims come as an antivirus company Avast took a closer look at BeReal’s often-overlooked terms.
Scary enough, the platform owns the right to “modify,” “publish,” and “display” your photos in any way you want — whether it’s on billboards, the Apple Store, or other ads.
While the privacy settings should be turned off by default, “friends only” photos can also be used for marketing purposes if you have given permission.
BeReal has the right to place some of your photos on billboards and advertisements if it wishes
This allows any so-called ‘globally shared content’ to be distributed non-exclusively and ‘worldwide’ without royalties.
Content may also be made available to “other companies, organizations or individuals” for other media purposes or services.
Jeff Williams, Avast’s Global Head of Security, claims that BeReal’s photo license can last up to 30 years, though the terms don’t currently state this.
“Imagine your most compromising and embarrassing moment being attached to an ad campaign for your friends or content that goes viral and attracts millions of viewers,” he said.
“Thirty years is largely internet time forever, potentially covering more than 60% of one’s career years. This seems like a very long grant of rights with exceptionally broad usage rights.’
BeReal launched three years ago as a way for social media users to post unfiltered photos of themselves once a day.
It’s often referred to as the “anti-Instagram,” giving users just two minutes to snap a photo at any time of the day, leaving no time to overthink.
While BeReal positively advocates for people to be their true selves, Avast sees this as a potential danger for users.
Cybersecurity experts warn that BeReal users may unknowingly reveal private information when in a hurry to take a quick photo against the clock
BeReal Terms of Service: All so-called “globally shared content” may be distributed non-exclusively and “worldwide” without royalty payments. This is the alternative to “friends only” content
Mr Williams says users may unwittingly reveal private information when rushing to take a quick photo against the clock.
This can be anything from personal objects to the layout of a home or even the private contents of a company computer.
To top it off, photos of people outside of your friendship group are often visible in the “Discovery” section of the app.
If location tracking is still enabled, Mr Williams suggests the app could potentially be misused for stalking or profiling.
This model could lead to the sharing of sensitive information, such as the contents of a computer screen or on a company whiteboard, or privacy violations of photos of people who have not signed up for the service and who may be entitled to an expectation of privacy. ‘ he said.
Jake Moore, Global Security Advisor at ESET, also raised concerns that rushed photo shoots could be misused by scammers to target victims.
He said, “The urgency that fuels BeReal’s unique selling point forces people to quickly post images. Urgency is also a tactic used by scammers to prey on their victims hoping they can click before they think twice.
“Users should therefore remember that they may be sharing very personal data with the world, especially when they have no control over when they take the photo, so that this image can capture everything that is around them at the time from both cameras on the device. ‘
Apart from its privacy concerns, Avast claims that BeReal lacks sufficient moderation, potentially giving rise to malicious content.
While BeReal does not tolerate child sexual exploitation, hate speech, illegal activity, and bullying, it is up to the user to report it.
Jeff Williams, Avast Global Head of Security, said, “Imagine your most compromising and embarrassing moment being tied to an ad campaign” (file image)
In its terms of service, BeReal says, “We have no obligation to monitor the content people share through our services.
“Nevertheless, we want our Services to be a place where people can have and express their real selves while feeling safe.”
While users can be 13 years old to join BeReal, there is also no parental control on the app.
Mr Williams continued: ‘There have been repeated calls in the press that Meta is not doing enough of a job moderating the content and that is by throwing hundreds of people at the problem.
“I would think that BeReal is nowhere near earning that investment. So the result is probably that whatever bad you’ve ever heard about a lack of content moderation on Facebook, you’ll see even more on BeReal.”
Mr Moore added: ‘App terms are long and can often be confusing, so people tend to quickly click to accept them in order to use the app. However, these terms are often filled with terms where you transfer certain rights and sensitive identifiable information.’
A BeReal spokesperson stressed that the platform takes user privacy very seriously, with an easier-to-read version of the terms and conditions launched this week.
It said content on the platform can only be used for promotional purposes in limited circumstances, adding that users have the right to request that it not be used.
BeReal claims that it is general practice to contact each user in advance and make sure they are comfortable with their content being distributed.
If a user is not comfortable with this, BeReal claims to respect their wishes.
The platform also stated that it has a global support team that works 24/7 to respond to user concerns, similar to that of Quora and Vevo.
This is said to be an area of continued investment as BeReal expands its team to ensure all concerns are met.