[OT] Identity Theft

The National Institute of Informatics (NII) in Japan
claims that taking and publishing photos of subjects
who are flashing the popular two-fingered 'V' or
peace sign could lead to identify theft. It warns
that fingerprint recognition technology is now so
advanced that even casual snapshots can be used
to retrieve fingerprint information. The report also
says the technology is widely available and easy
to use.

According to the NII, the danger lies in a combination
of widely available smartphones with high-resolution
cameras and the rising popularity of posting images
on social websites.

In an experiment the researchers were able to copy
fingerprints from photos that were captured 3 meters
(9 feet) away from the subject. That said, the
fingers in question have to be in focus and the
scene has to be well illuminated as presumably noise
reduction at higher ISOs would destroy the fine
low-contrast fingerprint lines.

We would also assume that the experiment only works
with high-resolution out-of-camera images. Many
social media websites reduce the size and increase
compression of posted images which should, with
current technology, make it pretty much impossible
to extract any fingerprint information.

However, if you frequently flash a peace sign in
photos and are worried about the possibility of
identity theft, the NII also has a solution to the
problem: it has developed a transparent film that
can be attached to your fingers.

It contains titanium oxide and makes it impossible
to scan your fingerprints from a photo but doesn't
interfere with identity verification. Unfortunately,
the technology won't be ready for another two years.
For now, think twice about showing your fingertips
in a photograph.

--Lars Rehm
_Digital Photography Review_ [January 17, 2017]
"Flashing A Peace Sign In A Photo Could Lead To Identity Theft"

https://www.dpreview.com/news/180627...identity-theft