Apple’s Verified Photography System

What happened

Apple just released a system called “Reference Image.” The final reference image is instead signed by Apple’s signing service, after validation by PCC. Apple is a software and consumer electronics company based in Cupertino.

It can verify the image is exactly as taken by an iPhone—new models only—without tying it to a specific iPhone or photographer. It can also verify that multiple images came from the same iPhone.

Other industry solutions require a photographer or institution to vouch for an image using their own credentials. Merely capturing a reference image should never expose the actual pixels to Apple or anyone else.

Key facts

• Apple just — released: a system called “Reference Image.”