Η technology is constantly evolving and with it the potential threats to personal digital security. There is growing concern about the possibility collectionof fingerprint data from digital photographs.
Is this just paranoia or a real privacy risk?
Understanding fingerprint identification
The fingerprints fingerprints have been used as a reliable method of identification for more than a century. Unique (or maybe not!) to each individual, these complex patterns of ridges and valleys found at our fingertips are nearly impossible to fake. With the advent of biometric technology, fingerprint recognition has become even more widespread and is used for everything from unlocking smartphones to accessing high-security areas.
When a fingerprint is captured digitally, it is usually done with high-resolution scanners that use different types of technology to capture the details of the ridges, details, and patterns that make up the fingerprint. This level of detail is necessary to ensure the accuracy and reliability of fingerprint-based identification systems.
Capture fingerprints on photos
When it comes to photography, even with the incredible advances in smartphone camera technology, capturing the details of a fingerprint is an incredibly difficult task. Fingerprint patterns are typically less than a millimeter wide. To capture these details clearly in a photograph, the camera must be extremely close to the finger and the lighting conditions must be near perfect.
While great for most everyday uses, the average smartphone camera lacks the detail required for λήψη fingerprint data. Even high-end DSLR cameras can struggle to capture fingerprints without specialized macro lenses and controlled lighting conditions.
That said, many new phones have macro photography capabilities, which can capture tiny details on small objects, but you'd probably know if someone was trying to take a snapshot of your fingertips from an inch away!
Extract fingerprints from images
Assuming a photo has been taken with enough detail to potentially capture fingerprint data, the next hurdle is extracting that information. Some computer algorithms can analyze an image and detect possible fingerprints in it, but these require efficient, high-resolution, clear and well-lit images.
Even when these conditions are met, these algorithms are less efficient or accurate than dedicated fingerprint scanners. They are commonly used for forensic purposes where other information can corroborate their findings.
Difficult doesn't mean impossible, however, and that's why it's worth thinking about today. In 2017, researchers at Japan's National Institute of Informatics announced that they had successfully extracted usable fingerprints from photographs of exposed fingers taken up to three meters away. These fingerprints were extracted from modern phone cameras, which suggests that they are powerful enough to capture sufficient fingerprint detail if users expose their fingers to the camera.
This means that the idea of extracting fingerprints from images you post on thenetwork it's not just a theoretical idea—there's real-world evidence that it can be done. Not to mention how much better a phone camera is in 2023 compared to 2017!
Limitations of extracting fingerprints from a photograph
The image resolution must be high enough. Even high-resolution smartphone cameras, which can capture 12 megapixels or more, may not provide enough fingerprint detail in most photos that people would take.
The lighting conditions must be ideal. Fingerprints are tiny and their shadows are minimal, meaning any light source needs to be perfectly positioned to bring out those details. On the other hand, potential scammers only have to get lucky once, and millions of photos are posted every second of every day.
The extraction process is not simple or automatic. It requires advanced knowledge of image processing and fingerprint analysis, and even then, it is not always successful or accurate. However, we are moving into the age of advanced artificial intelligence systems that can often run on a powerful home computer, meaning that one day all those public photos could be exposed retrospectively.
Fingerprints captured in this way may not be complete, as a casual photograph is unlikely to capture the entire surface of a finger. Biometric systems typically require full or near-full fingerprints to be effective.
Securing your fingerprint data
Protecting your biometric data is still prudent, despite the unlikely event that your fingerprints are stolen from a photo.
Avoid sharing images that clearly show your fingers up close. Use gloves when possible if you are concerned about fingerprints touching physical surfaces. Also, make sure your biometric data is stored securely on any device that uses it, such as your smartphone. You might even want to avoid biometrics altogether, as they have many other privacy issues that aren't as esoteric as fingerprinting.
Additionally, take the time to understand the privacy policies and security measures that apply to any apps or devices that use your fingerprint data.
Although the risk of having your fingerprints stolen from a photo is currently low, being informed and proactive about personal data security is always the best solution!
