While the rapid evolution and spread of generative AI bring new possibilities for creative expression, there are concerns about the negative impact of generated images. The dissemination of fake images affects not only news organisations and journalists, but society as a whole.
In response to this challenge, Sony offers Camera Authenticity Solution, a system that enables more sophisticated verification of the authenticity of image content, to news organisations and photojournalists.
In today‘s society, where images can be easily generated with AI, the value of the content that photographers shoot is expected to increase even further. By enhancing the reliability of that content, we aim to contribute to the success of photographers.
Sony is supporting professionals who want to protect their credibility by using metadata including unique three-dimensional depth information that only a camera manufacturer can provide, to address issues caused by fake information and images. Through its work on the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity)*1 steering committee, Sony is also contributing to the development of current industry standards related to image editing and processing histories.
Camera Authenticity Solution from Sony ensures the transparency of the editing history in compliance with the C2PA format and can also verify authenticity at a high level by providing a hardware-based in-camera digital signature for images captured with a camera from Sony.*2 Furthermore, by using unique meta-information including 3D depth information from the camera, it is possible to more accurately verify whether the captured image shows an actual 3D subject or not.
Sony's authenticity verification technology verifies that an image was shot using a camera, not generated by AI. A digital signature is created in-camera at the time of capture and embedded in the captured image in real time. The keys used for digital signatures are securely held in the hardware chipset, providing a high level of security. Verification of this digital signature verifies that the image was captured by an actual camera.
A digital signature alone cannot determine whether the captured image is of an actual 3D subject, or of an image or video projected on a high-definition monitor. However, by using metadata including 3D depth information, it is possible to verify the authenticity of images with a high degree of accuracy.
By using cameras from Sony, both the image and the 3D depth information can be captured on the sensor along the single light axis, providing information of high authenticity.
The date and time of image capture can also be verified, as a highly secure server-acquired time is attached to the image. This is tamper-proof and cannot be changed.
The use of C2PA-compatible apps or software can ensure the transparency of the editing history in C2PA format. By retaining the digital signature embedded in the camera and preserving the history of post-shooting edits, the authenticity of the image can be verified at a high level.
Photojournalists can use the digital signature feature by installing and activating a Digital Signature Upgrade License and a certificate.
When an image is captured, unique metadata, such as 3D depth information, is added to the image in real time in addition to the digital signature. And by using C2PA-compatible apps and software, the editing history can be recorded in compliance with the C2PA format.
Using these digital signatures and metadata, the news organisation receiving the delivered images can easily verify their authenticity through paid Image Validation Site provided by Sony. This includes confirming whether the images were taken by a camera and whether they depict real 3D subjects, and reviewing the editing history.
image was shot on camera
real-life subject was captured
Confirm not photo of photo
actual time of image capture
Based on server time
Authenticity of edited images remains verifiable
When editing using C2PA-compatible app
modified areas within the image
For the field of journalism, where presenting accurate information from reliable sources is crucial, Sony offers an Image Validation Site that can verify the authenticity of images* with high precision through Camera Signature, 3D Detection, Modification Analysis, and server time verification. The features on the Image Validation Site enhance the efficiency of the previously time-consuming process of verifying image authenticity, contributing not only to operational efficiency but also to ensuring the reliability of images.
In addition to verifying the history of the C2PA signature, the Image Validation Site can also analyse whether the image has been edited, further supporting verification of the image's authenticity.
The date and time of image capture can also be verified by the Image Validation Site, as a highly secure and tamper-proof server-acquired time is attached to the image.
The spread of generative AI has made image authenticity extremely important, particularly in the field of journalism where news organisations are expected to provide accurate information. For photojournalists who are required to deliver images whose authenticity can be verified, Sony provides a solution* that allows the verification of delivered images.
When an image is captured, a digital signature is created by the camera to prove that the image was captured on the camera and is added to the captured image in real time. A Digital Signature Upgrade License needs to be obtained, activated, and used to verify that the image was taken with the camera.
Sony provides a Digital Signature Self-Checker that allows photographers to check, with a PC, the signature information and history information of images they have captured themselves. It is possible to check that the signature has been maintained even after the image has been edited.