Face Swap Consent Guidelines
Face Swapper is for permitted creative image edits. You must have permission from every real person shown in the images you upload. Do not upload celebrities, strangers, private images without consent, non-consensual intimate imagery, child sexual abuse material, harassment, fraud, impersonation, or misleading deepfakes. If you are unsure whether you have permission, do not upload the image.
When you need permission
Consent is required any time a real, identifiable person other than yourself appears in an image you upload. This applies even if the photo is publicly available, posted online, or shared with you by someone else. The person in the image - Not the person who shares the file - Holds the right to consent to edits of their likeness.
Consent must be:
- Informed - The person knows their face will be swapped in an AI tool
- Specific - Agreeing to one photo does not cover all future uses
- Freely given - Not obtained through pressure, deception, or as a condition of something else
- Revocable - A person can withdraw consent at any time; stop using the image if they do
Verbal agreement is a starting point, but written confirmation (a text, email, or message) is strongly recommended so you have a clear record if questions arise later.
Group photos and friends
Group photos require consent from every identifiable person in the frame, not just the person you intend to swap. A photo of four people means four people need to agree before you upload.
For photos taken among friends or family:
- Ask everyone in the photo before uploading, even if you took the photo yourself
- Make sure each person understands the image will be processed by an AI tool
- Do not assume that a person appearing in a group photo has implicitly agreed to AI editing
- If one person objects, do not upload the image - Crop them out first or choose a different photo
When in doubt, a quick message asking "Is it okay if I use this photo with a face swap tool?" takes seconds and protects both you and the people you care about.
What to do when unsure
If you are not sure whether you have permission, the answer is simple: do not upload the image. Use a photo of yourself instead, or take a new photo where consent is established upfront.
Common situations that require extra care:
- Photos from social media that you did not take yourself
- Images shared in a group chat - Sharing a photo is not consent to edit it
- Photos of ex-partners or people you are no longer in contact with
- Images of colleagues, classmates, or acquaintances
- Any photo where you cannot easily contact the person shown to confirm
Common scenarios at a glance
| Scenario | Allowed? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Selfie - Only you in the photo | Yes | Nothing - You own your own likeness |
| Photo with a friend who agreed via text | Yes | Confirm they understood it would be AI-edited |
| Family group photo - Everyone asked in person | Yes | Every person in the frame has agreed |
| Photo of a friend - No permission asked | No | Ask first; do not assume friendship equals consent |
| Celebrity photo from the internet | No | Not permitted regardless of source |
| Photo shared in a group chat | No | Sharing a photo is not consent to AI-edit it |
| Public photo from someone's social media | No | Public does not mean consent to edit |
| Professional shoot - Model release signed | Yes | Confirm release covers AI editing use case |
| Old photo of an ex-partner | No | Prior consent does not extend indefinitely; contact them first |
| Photo of a minor (under 18) | No | Strictly prohibited regardless of relationship or consent |