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 shoots could pose a risk of personal information leakage. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and high-resolution cameras, it has been pointed out that fingerprints can potentially be reconstructed solely from fingers visible in a photograph.

According to a recent report by 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.

Li Chang explained that if a photo is taken from within 1.5 meters with fingers facing the camera directly, there is a possibility of extracting fingerprints. He added that even at a distance of 1.5 to 3 meters, about half of the detailed features of the hand can be restored. The program also showed how, after editing the photos with photo editing software and AI tools, the ridges of the fingerprints on the fingers became visible.

Jingjiu, a professor of cryptography at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, told China Newsweek that even a 'scissor-hand' pose in photos taken with high-performance cameras could allow for the reconstruction of detailed hand information.

However, Professor Jingjiu noted that actual fingerprint reconstruction is not easy due to several variables, such as lighting, focus, and photo clarity. Nevertheless, he pointed out that the risks could increase if high-resolution devices become more widespread 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 leaks could lead to 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 sources.

After the program aired, related content spread rapidly on China's social networking services (SNS). One netizen commented, "From now on, I guess I'll only make a fist in selfies." Another user wrote, "I should also wipe off fingerprint marks from my phone screen more often."

According to Chinese media outlet Sohu News, in July last year, a man in Hangzhou, China, uploaded a photo online in which his fingers were clearly visible. A criminal organization downloaded the image and attempted to unlock a smart door lock with it, although the crime was ultimately unsuccessful.

However, Fei Zeyong, head of the Qianxin Industry Security Research Center in China, stated that even if extracting fingerprints from selfie photos is technically possible, it is not easy to use this for actual crimes. Fei explained that fingerprint data is mainly exploited in relatively low-security environments, and there is a greater risk of it being used in the production of forged documents.

Fei also noted that AI technology is being used to respond to new types of fraud, with some AI tools able to detect facial synthesis in real time.

Meanwhile, as AI-based image processing technology becomes more sophisticated, personal information leakage through photos is emerging as a new concern. On Chinese SNS, there are growing worries that 'AI physiognomy tests' or 'free palm reading' apps may collect, store, or misuse facial and palm biometric data.

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