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Is ‘Zepeto’ tracking you? Here’s the truth behind the app’s tracking rumors

After your friends bombarded you with pictures from this editing app called Pitu, here comes another app that is currently taking social media by storm. Zepeto, developed by the people behind the South Korean app SNOW, lets you create a cute avatar just by taking a selfie.

via TechNode

Apart from generating a cute 3D-animated version of yourself, you can also “virtually” meet new people and interact with them in chat rooms, play games with each other, and even do cute stuff together.

Like taking a picture with your favorite K-pop idol.

Or just virtually hang out with your sister.

Since making an avatar is such a no-brainer, almost everyone on your news feed seems to be really going crazy over this new 3D-avatar generating app.

And while Zepeto users are currently enjoying sharing their avatars on social media, a creepy story about a Zepeto user’s first-hand experience went viral. According to a Facebook user named Taylor Diamond RE, she becomes a bit concerned about everyone’s safety after she uninstalled the app.

Secret behind the ZEPETO App. Nabasa ko lang. Ang creepy 😰Uninstall na 😰😰 Thread below.

Posted by Jin Bicomong on Sunday, December 9, 2018

In a lengthy post, Taylor mentioned that after uninstalling Zepeto, a series of eerie events had happened to her. First, an unknown number called her, asking why she stopped using the app. Then she received an influx of text messages—calling her not by her first name, but by her Zepeto code name.

via GIPHY

But the story doesn’t just end there.

After she blocked the first unknown number, a new number appeared on her phone. This time, the person on the other line, knew not just her real name but also her location. And just when you thought this story can’t get any creepier, Taylor shared that she also received a phone call from a stranger with a deep, husky voice.

To stop all the “craziness,” she decided to reinstall the app and changed all the information in her profile. And that’s the only time Zepeto stopped contacting her.

Now the question is: Does Zepeto have the ability to track or monitor their users? The answer is no.

We all know how disturbing this kind of story, especially if it involves everyone’s internet safety. However, it turns out that this whole thing is just a rumor that started in a group chat and spread to Twitter.

When you download the app, it will only ask for access to your camera and permission to send you push notifications just like any “normal” apps out there.

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Read more from InqPOP!: 

We all lost it after seeing the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ trailer and we’re not ready for the end yet

Spotify artists get notifications when you add them to your ‘questionable’ playlists

Online customer agents can see what you’re typing even before you hit that ‘send’ button

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