With the advancements in artificial intelligence, new ways to leverage its strengths are constantly emerging. We know that an AI trained in a particular area will possess extensive knowledge and, while not perfect, will be correct most of the time. This is clearly evident when asking questions and seeking answers, or when demanding it generate audiovisual content like images, videos, or music. In addition to this, AI is capable of identifying images, and it’s here that several experts from China warn that it can steal fingerprint data from selfies and photos where our fingers are visible in detail.
Almost everything we see and use has AI, and this is a reality we must accept. While browsing the internet, watching YouTube videos, or on social media, you’ll encounter AI-generated content that you’ll instantly recognize, or perhaps it went completely unnoticed. On the other hand, our computers have multiple AI functions; we know that Windows 11 uses Copilot as a base, and even Paint has artificial intelligence. It’s much the same on mobile devices; if you use Android, you have Gemini, and in cases like Samsung, you have its Galaxy AI features.
Chinese Experts Warn of the Danger of AI Stealing Fingerprint Data from Photos, Especially in Typical Hand Gesture Selfies
If we use AI, we must be careful not to give away our personal data. As you may already know, AI models are typically trained on the information you provide, so it’s best if they don’t learn things you don’t want them to know. Speaking of personal information, reports from China indicate that taking photos or selfies where we show our fingers is not recommended, as AIs can identify the details and extract fingerprints.
This is concerning because imagine a hacker or cybercriminal finding photos of their victim on social media, extracting the fingerprint information, and essentially gaining access to their mobile, personal computer, and bank accounts. They could achieve this by using a replication method, such as creating a replica of these fingerprints on materials that simulate skin, like silicone or polymers, to deceive biometric verification.
Fingerprints Can Be Falsified to Incriminate Innocents and Bypass Security
Another option would be to use the fingerprint extracted by AI from a selfie to fool systems or leave false trails that could be used to commit crimes through identity theft and manipulation. Cases have been seen where financial fraud occurred with fingerprints used in silicone, latex, or alginate molds capable of bypassing the biometric security of ATMs, and more complex cases where a criminal manages to incriminate an innocent person with a fake fingerprint of theirs.
There is a world of possibilities in all of this, and AI isn’t even strictly necessary. Five years ago, it was demonstrated that with a photo of a fingerprint, Photoshop, a laser printer, and wood glue, a falsified fingerprint could be recreated that could fool detection systems.
