Snapping a Careless 'V' Pose... "All Your Personal Data Could Be Stolen" Warning Spreads on SNS

Possibility of Fingerprint Reconstruction from Photos Using AI Technology
Chinese Expert: "Higher Resolution Photos Increase the Risk"

There has been a warning that the commonly used 'V' pose during photo-taking could lead to personal information leaks. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and high-resolution cameras, experts point out that it may be possible to reconstruct fingerprints from just the fingers visible in a photo.

According to a recent report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP), financial expert Li Chang appeared on a Chinese television program and demonstrated the possibility of reconstructing fingerprints using celebrity selfie photos.

Image extracted by AI of a person taking a photo with a 'V' pose

Li Chang explained that if a photo is taken within 1.5 meters with the fingers facing directly toward the camera, there is a possibility that fingerprints can be extracted. He added that even at a distance of 1.5 to 3 meters, about half of the hand's detailed features could be restored. The program also introduced how, by using photo editing software and AI tools to enhance the photo, the fingerprint ridges on the fingers became visible.

Jingjiu, a professor of cryptography at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, told China Newsweek that "even just the 'scissors hand' pose in high-performance camera portraits could allow for the reconstruction of detailed hand information."

However, Professor Jingjiu explained that actual fingerprint reconstruction is not easy due to various factors such as lighting, focus, and image clarity. Still, he pointed out that the risk could increase if high-resolution devices are used and multiple related photos are leaked.

Li Chang warned that, like facial information, fingerprints are permanent biometric data that are difficult to change once leaked. He explained that such leaks could result in financial damage or identity theft. Li Chang recommended blurring or pixelating the hand area before posting selfies online. He also advised against registering fingerprint information on devices with unclear origins.

After the program aired, related content spread rapidly across Chinese social networking services (SNS). One user remarked, "From now on, maybe we should just make a fist in selfies." Another commented, "I should wipe fingerprint marks off my phone screen more often."

According to Chinese media outlet Sohu News, in July of last year, a man in Hangzhou, China, uploaded a photo online in which his fingers were clearly visible. A criminal group downloaded the image and attempted to unlock a smart door lock using the fingerprints. However, the attempt was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Fei Ziyong, director of the Qianxin Industrial Security Research Center in China, stated that even if it is technically possible to extract fingerprints from selfie photos, it is not easy to use them for actual crimes. Director Fei explained that fingerprint information is mainly exploited in relatively low-security environments and is more likely to be misused for producing forged documents or similar purposes.

Director Fei also noted that AI technology is being used to counter new types of fraud, with some AI tools capable of detecting face synthesis in real-time.

Meanwhile, as AI-based image processing technology becomes more advanced, personal information leaks via photos are emerging as a new problem. On Chinese SNS, there are growing concerns that 'AI physiognomy tests' and 'free palm reading' apps could collect, store, or misuse facial and palm biometric data.

In fact, an IT company employee in Shanghai was caught illegally collecting and storing more than 1,700 instances of facial biometric data through a 'beauty test' application, then selling the data on the dark web.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.