Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution now supports video

Sony has expanded its Camera Authenticity Solution, and it now supports video in addition to still images. The update adds video compatibility to Camera Verify (beta) and the Image Verification Pre-check SDK, helping news organizations and visual journalists verify the authenticity of captured content.

With Camera Verify (beta) now supporting video, newsrooms can validate both still images and video through a dedicated verification URL. C2PA-compliant verification confirms content was captured by a camera using secure digital signatures aligned with the C2PA standard.

The Image Verification Pre-check SDK enables organizations to check for camera signatures directly within their own systems.

Supported cameras include:

• Alpha 1 II
• Alpha 1
• Alpha 9 III
• Alpha 7R V
• Alpha 7S III
• Alpha 7 IV
• FX3
• FX30
• PXW-Z300

For details of supported cameras, please see here. It will only work when applied to video recorded in MP4 format at a bitrate of 222 Mbps or lower. Video recorded in either 8K or slow / quick motion footage is not supported.

Sony states that additional compatibility for more cameras is planned in the future.

Please note that the Camera Verify system does require the purchase of a license. Also, as this is a beta version, it is only available for a limited time until the official release. Please note the following as this service is still under development:

• The functionality and names of the features may change when the service is officially released.
• Files uploaded and created using the beta version will be automatically migrated to the officially released service. If you use the beta version, you will not be automatically charged when the official version is released.
• Please be advised that the subsequent release of the official version of the service is not guaranteed.

How does it work?

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.