Facebook just added selfie filters to its arsenal after purchasing an iOS app called Masquerade. The app’s filters are similar to the ones featured on Snapchat, where effects are placed over faces using facial recognition.
"At Masquerade, we’ve worked hard to make video more fun and engaging by creating filters that enhance and alter your appearance," wrote CEO Eugene Nevgen in a blog post. "Now, we’re excited to join forces with Facebook and bring the technology to even more people. Within Facebook, we’re going to be able to reach people at a scale like never before."
Masquerade allows users to record video selfie animations by applying filters in to be applied in real time. Built by Nevgen, Sergey Gonchar and Eugene Zatepyakin, the Belarus-based app will continue to exist as a standalone app while its technology is integrated into Facebook.
"Masquerade has built a fantastic app, MSQRD, with world-class imaging technology for video," a Facebook spokesperson told Tech Insider. "We’re excited to welcome Masquerade to our team and continue enhancing the Facebook video experience.”
Facebook competitor Snapchat has had success with filters and debuting effects based on facial recognition technology. In the past, Facebook unsuccessfully tried to acquire Snapchat for $3 billion.
