BEIJING (Kashmir English): Experts have warned that the popular “V” sign selfies could lead to fingerprint theft.
The gesture, widely regarded as a symbol of victory, involves raising the index and middle fingers outward and has long remained part of global popular culture.
However, cyber security specialists have now warned against its use, saying high-resolution cameras and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) software have increased the risk of fingerprints being copied and biometric security systems bypassed.
A Chinese security expert, Li Chang highlighted the issue during a reality television programme in April this year, using a celebrity selfie as an example to demonstrate how clearly fingers appear in photographs featuring the “V” sign and how such images could place personal biometric information at risk.
He explained that if a finger faces directly towards the camera and a close-up image is taken from a distance of less than 1.5 metres, there is a strong possibility that complete fingerprint data could be obtained adding that selfies were considered particularly risky for this reason.
Li Chang also cautioned that nearly half of fingerprint details could still be extracted from photographs taken up to three metres away with the assistance of AI software.
During the television broadcast, the Chinese expert surprised viewers by demonstrating how photo-editing software and AI technology could improve low-resolution images.
He said previously appeared blurred, the fingerprints could become highly clear and detailed.
In this regard, Zhang Jiao, cryptography professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the arrival of high-definition cameras had made it technically possible to recreate detailed fingerprints from simple “V” pose photographs.
After Li Chang’s experiment went viral on social media, concerns over large-scale security breaches enhanced. However, some experts believe that stealing fingerprints in such a manner and using them to bypass biometric security systems was not straightforward.
Fingerprint patterns
They said factors such as lighting conditions, camera focus and image clarity play a major role, while identity thieves would require multiple images of the same individual to compare fingerprint patterns.
Experts have advised that those wishing to protect their biometric identity while continuing the habit of making the “V” sign in selfies should blur their fingertips before posting photographs on social media. They may also use digital editing tools to smooth fingerprint details.
