Digital DNA on Your Photos?

Did you know that a photo you take with your digital camera can be traced back to you? Apparently the person that leaked the new Harry Potter Manuscript didn't know. A few days before the release of the New Harry Potter book, you could get a bit torrent of the book on the Internet. This clearly violated several copyright laws and the person, who laboriously photographed each page, is now being sought.

The Times Online says that, "Every image that is taken on a digital camera contains Exif data, which holds information about the picture such as zoom, contrast, focus and 'distance to subject' measurements. It is typically used for 'trouble-shooting', so an owner can ascertain why a picture may not have worked, but it also enables a court, for instance, to establish whether a picture has been digitally altered."

"The Exif data is like the picture's DNA; you can't switch it off. Every image has it. Some software can be used to strip or edit the information, but you can't edit every field..."

This information brings a new dimension to social media. If you email or post an incriminating photo of someone or something on your MySpace, FaceBook or other social media site, beware, you run risk or getting caught.

Interesting information for sure. Just in case you didn't already know; "Big Brother" is always watching.

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