With the rise of generative AI and the growing use of synthetic images, Agence France-Presse (AFP) has successfully tested a “proof of concept” to certify the authenticity of its photos, ensuring they can be verified wherever they appear online. The Agency now plans to develop this technology further in collaboration with camera manufacturers, editing software developers, and news distributors, working towards a shared industry standard that protects the integrity of photojournalism.
This large-scale experiment, successfully carried out during the 2024 US elections, demonstrated that by combining the C2PA certification standard with a unique, invisible, and encrypted watermark, it is possible to guarantee the authenticity of a news photograph throughout the entire distribution chain.
The process consists of four key steps:
- Authenticity at the point of capture – Using a prototype Nikon camera, a secure C2PA certificate with a digital signature is embedded in the image the moment it is taken, ensuring its authenticity from the start. Major camera manufacturers plan to integrate this standard from 2025.
- Secure storage of the original file – The original image is uploaded to a secure server, where it is stored and duplicated. A copy is then edited and captioned according to AFP’s editorial guidelines.
- Invisible, tamper-proof watermarking – Before distribution via AFP’s news feed, the edited image is embedded with a unique, invisible, and encrypted watermark developed by IMATAG. This watermark contains a digital fingerprint linking the edited photo to the original stored on the secure server.
- Verification – Using the "WeVerify" plugin, co-developed by AFP and widely used by fact-checkers and open-source intelligence (OSINT) researchers, anyone can decode the watermark and access the original image — similar to checking a film negative. This open system ensures complete transparency for both journalists and the public.
"At a time when journalism is under attack from all sides, and the misuse of generative AI is further blurring the lines between truth and falsehood, this successfully executed large-scale test reaffirms AFP’s commitment to transparency and the traceability of its content. We now hope that other industry players will join us in adopting and further developing this initiative," said Phil Chetwynd, AFP’s Global News Director.
Article supplied by AFP
