FLOSS Weekly 748: Show Me The ProofMode - Nathan Freitas, ProofMode
Sep 6, 2023
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Nathan Freitas, founder of the Guardian Project, talks about ProofMode, a tool for turning digital artifacts into secure signed evidence. They discuss the future of open source and AI, privacy in journalism, Guardian Project's funding and plans, and the topics of surveillance, trust, and optimism.
Proof Mode enables users to verify the authenticity of digital content by establishing a trustworthy chain of custody and utilizing cryptographic techniques.
Proof Mode prioritizes user privacy and safety by allowing users to control the data they share and utilizing encryption and secure communication channels.
The Guardian Project is supported by various funders and collaborates with initiatives to develop open-source tools for privacy and data authenticity.
Deep dives
Proof Mode: Verifying the Authenticity of Digital Content
Proof Mode is a decentralized tool developed by the Guardian Project that enables users to verify the authenticity of digital content, such as photos and videos. By gathering additional data and using cryptographic techniques, Proof Mode establishes a trustworthy chain of custody, proving that the content is not manipulated or fabricated. Journalists, human rights defenders, and individuals documenting various events can utilize Proof Mode to provide irrefutable evidence. The verification process involves elements such as PGP signatures, open timestamps, and verifications from third-party services like Google Safety Net. Therefore, users can independently verify the authenticity of content without relying on centralized authorities.
Securing Privacy and Empowering Users
Proof Mode also prioritizes user privacy and safety. Users have control over the data they share, allowing them to disable location, carrier phone identity, and other potentially sensitive metadata. This level of control ensures that users can retain their anonymity and protect themselves from surveillance or unwanted data collection. The Guardian Project is actively working with organizations like Witness and Freedom of the Press Foundation to develop workflows and tools that guarantee user safety, particularly for journalists and whistleblowers. By utilizing encryption and secure communication channels like Signal, Proof Mode offers a robust privacy framework.
Funding and Future Developments
The Guardian Project is supported by a diverse range of funders, including organizations like the Open Technology Fund, Filecoin Foundation, and the Eric and Wendy Schmitt Foundation. This funding allows them to continue their important work in developing open-source tools for privacy and data authenticity. Additionally, the Guardian Project collaborates with initiatives like the Content Authenticity Initiative (C2PA) to ensure interoperability and widespread adoption of their technologies. Looking forward, the Guardian Project aims to refine their workflows, expand their user base, and advocate for open-source solutions that empower individuals to protect their privacy and verify the authenticity of digital content.
The Importance of Proof Mode in Activism and Journalism
Proof mode, a project developed by Guardian Project, aims to address the need for trustworthy documentation in sensitive situations. Activists, journalists, and human rights organizations face challenges in documenting war crimes, land disputes, and other incidents that require verifiable evidence. Proof mode utilizes high-quality metadata and verification systems to enhance documentation efforts. The project also focuses on integrating with existing tools such as Signal and building trust in decentralized systems like IPFS. While there are challenges surrounding generative AI and the potential manipulation of proof files, the team is actively working on testing and finding solutions to ensure authenticity.
Partnerships and Applications of Proof Mode
Proof mode has found valuable partnerships with organizations like Hypo Cooperative, Starling Labs, and internews. These collaborations have been crucial in applying proof mode to investigative journalism, war crime documentation, and land dispute cases. The project is also extended to support marginalized communities, such as indigenous groups in Mexico and media organizations in the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally, proof mode's potential use in off-grid situations, like post-hurricane scenarios, is being explored. The project aims to make documentation processes more efficient while maintaining the importance of human involvement in verifying and analyzing evidence.
Doc Searls and Simon Phipps talk with Nathan Freitas, founder of the Guardian Project about ProofMode. A way to turn photos, videos, and other digital artifacts into secure signed digital evidence. Plus, the many other things the Project is up to.
