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Once, augmented reality (AR) filters offered by social media platforms were playful gimmicks, merrily inviting users into a virtual dress-up box. AR filters work by superimposing a computer-generated effect on top of a real-world image, usually one’s own face. Why not see yourself with puppy ears? Why not give vomiting rainbows a try?
Yet, steadily, AR filters have morphed from a harmless novelty into sophisticated, real-time editing software that seamlessly layers onto the user’s face without a glitch, even in live videos. Given the chance to exert absolute control over our online appearance we seized it, and are now awash with the faintly eerie images that result: unblemished doll’s skin, inhuman Bambi eyes.
But in February, TikTok released an advanced new AR filter called Bold Glamour that was met with a wave of negative comments from users. Previously, if a user passed their hand over their face while using a filter, it would glitch and reveal itself. Bold Glamour is a different beast: whether a user prods their artificially plumped lips or rubs a sultry doe-like eye, it maintains its illusion. Dismayed TikTokers have labelled it “dystopian-level terrifying” and “psychological warfare and pure evil”, with fears that younger people especially will not realise others are using the filter and feel themselves deeply lacking as a result.
Continued below.
unherd.com
Yet, steadily, AR filters have morphed from a harmless novelty into sophisticated, real-time editing software that seamlessly layers onto the user’s face without a glitch, even in live videos. Given the chance to exert absolute control over our online appearance we seized it, and are now awash with the faintly eerie images that result: unblemished doll’s skin, inhuman Bambi eyes.
But in February, TikTok released an advanced new AR filter called Bold Glamour that was met with a wave of negative comments from users. Previously, if a user passed their hand over their face while using a filter, it would glitch and reveal itself. Bold Glamour is a different beast: whether a user prods their artificially plumped lips or rubs a sultry doe-like eye, it maintains its illusion. Dismayed TikTokers have labelled it “dystopian-level terrifying” and “psychological warfare and pure evil”, with fears that younger people especially will not realise others are using the filter and feel themselves deeply lacking as a result.
Continued below.
The ugly side of TikTok's beauty filter
Once, augmented reality (AR) filters offered by social media platforms were playful gimmicks, merrily inviting users into a virtual dress-up box. AR filters work by superimposing a computer-generated effect on top of a real-world image, usually one’s own face. Why not see yourself with puppy...
unherd.com