Apple could help you prove your iPhone photos aren’t deepfakes
Apple is developing a new iOS feature that allows users to verify the authenticity of photos by embedding provenance metadata at the point of capture. This system aims to combat deepfakes by using hardware-level signatures to confirm an image's origin.
Why it matters
Provides a potential technological solution to the growing problem of AI-generated misinformation and image manipulation.
Apple is seemingly developing an iOS feature that can verify when a photograph was taken using an iPhone camera. 9to5Mac reports that the iOS 27 beta 5 includes code references for an “Apple Reference Image” system that can embed provenance metadata into iPhone photographs at the point of capture — enabling users to prove where the photo originated, and that it isn’t AI fakery.
Apple Reference Image isn’t currently live, but a privacy disclosure in the iOS beta notes that the feature will be off by default. When (or if) it does roll out, 9to5Mac says it can be enabled via Settings > Camera > Reference Image > Reference Mode, and that only photographs taken using a new “Reference” option in the iPhone Camera app will include the provenance information required for authentication.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in