Sony cameras are testing a new technology that will help fight misinformation

The company Sony in cooperation with the news agency The Associated Press reveals that the second round of tests for the authenticator built into Sony cameras has been concluded. The cameras’ built-in digital signature allows you to create a “birth certificate” of the images, or a digital certificate that proves the origin of the content.

Sony’s authentication technology provides a computerized digital signature that prevents various possibilities of illegal manipulation. The digital signature is generated by the camera’s chip when the photo is taken. This security feature is mostly aimed at professional photographers who want to ensure the authenticity of their content, but as an additional tool, it will also be useful for the media, as it will help distinguish fake images from real ones.

“While the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) provides new opportunities for creative expression, it has raised concerns about the impact of altered or manipulated images in journalism. The spread of fake information and images has real social effects that harm not only our media, but society as a whole. The latest cameras will have built-in authentication technology, which has already shown remarkable results, so we will continue to push its development,” says Yann Salmon Legagneur, Product Marketing Director for Digital Imaging at Sony Europe.

Sony reveals that it has partnered with Camera Bits, the company that developed the Photo Mechanic tool, to keep this custom technology in Sony’s digital imaging tools.

“We recognize that various altered images pose a significant challenge and threat to society, so we are motivated to help address this issue. The Photo Mechanic tool has been used in the photojournalism industry for 25 years and continues to evolve as new technologies are introduced to the industry. We are committed to ensuring that Photo Mechanic remains a trusted and authentic solution,” says Dennis Walker, CEO and Founder of Camera Bits.

Sony reveals that the digital signature feature will be fully finalized and implemented in spring 2024. Alpha 9 III, Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III camera users will be the first to try it.