WordSig: QR streams enabling platform-independent self-identification that's impossible to deepfake

TL;DR

WordSig is a protocol that enables video participants to self-authenticate their spoken words using QR codes, providing a platform-independent and deepfake-resistant method for verifying video content authenticity.

Contribution

The paper introduces WordSig, a novel protocol for real-time digital signing of spoken words via QR codes, allowing viewers to verify authenticity independently of content distributors.

Findings

Enables real-time self-authentication of speech in videos.

Provides a platform-independent method resistant to deepfakes.

Facilitates trust between viewers and speakers without intermediaries.

Abstract

Deepfakes can degrade the fabric of society by limiting our ability to trust video content from leaders, authorities, and even friends. Cryptographically secure digital signatures may be used by video streaming platforms to endorse content, but these signatures are applied by the content distributor rather than the participants in the video. We introduce WordSig, a simple protocol allowing video participants to digitally sign the words they speak using a stream of QR codes, and allowing viewers to verify the consistency of signatures across videos. This allows establishing a trusted connection between the viewer and the participant that is not mediated by the content distributor. Given the widespread adoption of QR codes for distributing hyperlinks and vaccination records, and the increasing prevalence of celebrity deepfakes, 2022 or later may be a good time for public figures to begin using and promoting QR-based self-authentication tools.