// device verification

Source: MacRumors

Apple is developing a cryptographic layer to authenticate iPhone-captured images, addressing the problem of deepfakes and synthetic media flooding digital platforms. This is a direct response to AI tools that can now generate indistinguishable fake photos. If deployed at scale, the system creates a competitive advantage around iPhone authenticity claims while shifting the burden of verification from platforms like Meta and Google back to device makers. This could fragment how different ecosystems handle media trust. The move positions privacy and verification as hardware-level features rather than software promises, though success depends on adoption by downstream services like messaging and social platforms.