Beware: Fachat App is like the New Chatroulette

If you don’t want your kids paying to video chat with complete strangers, then keep them off the Fachat app. That’s the whole point of this new app. It launched in the fall of 2019 and is quickly rising in popularity. It’s also raising some serious red flags for the team here at Smart Social.

We checked out Fachat out for you and found exactly what we suspected. The app is filled with suggestive behavior from strangers who could hold private conversations, on-screen, with your kids.

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What is the Fachat app?

• Fachat connects strangers around the world via video chat
• Users can remain anonymous
• The registration only requires a user’s gender and date of birth (verification is not required)
• The app asks users for permission to access their camera and microphone
• Users can add a picture, bio, and photo to their profile
• The user’s name, age, and location is visible on their profile as a default
• Users scroll through profiles to find a stranger they want to chat with
• Users must purchase coins (with real money) to pay for chat time
• The Fachat app asks users what they are looking for in their video chats (including options for emotional or physical relationships) during registration
• During our review of the app, our team found many profiles that appear to be soliciting users for sexually suggestive video chats

What users say about the Fachat app

"As I scroll through, I notice there are some using this app who aren’t what they appear to be when you compare them to their picture… I was a victim of fakers/scammers so please be careful when you use this app."

"This is a bait app to lure customers for money. Free to download but not free to use."

Source: iOS App Store

Fachat is quickly gaining popularity

• The Fachat app launched in August 2019
• At the time of this review, it is so new that most parents and news sources don't know about Fachat yet
• We created this safety guide to help parents get ahead of the curve with this dangerous app since it’s becoming increasingly popular

Why should parents care?

• The main goal of the app is for strangers to talk to each other, which makes Fachat incredibly dangerous for students
• The developer claims sexual, pornographic, or nude behaviors are not allowed. However, we witnessed suggestive photos and videos within seconds of exploring Fachat for our review
• Users can remain anonymous, so your students have no way to tell who they are really chatting with
• The Fachat app offers a real-time translation feature, so your students could be chatting with people located in other countries
• The app thrives on in-app purchases. Users must purchase coins to participate in video chats

What can parents do?

• If your student has the Fachat app, delete it immediately and discuss the dangers of using it
• Teach your children to never communicate with strangers on social media 
• Discuss spending limits with your kids and consider changing the settings on their phones so they can’t make purchases (Fachat coins) without your permission 
• Remind your tweens and teens that people aren’t always who they say they are online. Someone might appear to be their age but could really be someone much older with a fake profile 
• Teach your children to always come to you, or a trusted adult, if they’re contacted by a stranger or if they ever feel uncomfortable online
• When you’re ready for your kid to be public on social media, encourage them to set up a profile on one of the Smart Social Green Zone apps so they can begin building a positive digital footprint
• If your student experiences unusual behavior, consider contacting the school counselor or a private therapist for help

Conclusion

The Fachat app is intended for people ages 17 and up, but anyone can download the app and use a fake birthday to gain access. There are many safer ways for your kids to communicate online. We believe this app should not be on your kid's phone. If you want to give your kids access to some safer choices, we have a whole list of apps in our Green Zone that are far more appropriate and safe.