FaceApp confirms that most of the processing needed to power its app’s beautifying/gender-bending/age-accerating/-defying effects are done in the cloud and not locally on their device. FaceApp goes on to specify that it “might” store the photos users have chosen to upload in the cloud for a short period, claiming this is done for “performance and traffic” – such as to make sure that a user doesn’t repeatedly upload the same photo to carry out another edit. “Most images are deleted from our servers within 48 hours from the upload date,” the company adds. It also claims no user data is “transferred to Russia”, even though its R&D team is based there. So the suggestion is that storage and cloud processing are being performed using infrastructure based outside Russia.

Snapchat takes big steps, revolutionising TV viewing

Snapchat's plan to reinvent TV is picking up steam. The company, which hasn't always had an easy relationship with high-profile users, just announced a new lineup of original "Creator Shows" that will star influencers and celebs, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Serena Williams, and Kevin Hart. Now, the company is testing a new feature that might make it easier to binge-watch: a dedicated section for shows separate from the main Discover page and other publisher content. Right now, Snapchat's shows are integrated in the app's Discover section. With the test, which was recently spotted by Mashable in the app, an additional swipe over from the Discover page brings up a hidden "Shows" section. The new "Shows" page looks much cleaner than the rest of Discover and is similar to what you might expect on a streaming platform. At the top is a promoted show, followed by a queue of recently watched shows and subscritions.