Researchers in the United States have unveiled a new system designed to shield video broadcasts from deepfakes and other tampering. The findings were shared in connection with the 21st annual Mobisys Conference, a gathering focused on mobile systems, applications, and services.
Experts note that while metadata can sometimes verify the authenticity of video and audio files, it is not a reliable safeguard. Such data can be stripped away, and it is not well suited for public recordings of live events that are distributed broadly.
The core challenge lies in live events such as speeches or press briefings. A speaker’s audiences may record footage on personal devices, upload it to various platforms, and then capture it anew as it circulates widely. Once a clip enters circulation, it can be accessed and shared freely, often with intent to mislead or discredit the subject.
To address this risk, a team led by Nirupam Roy, an assistant professor of computer science, developed TalkLock. This system can generate a QR code that helps preserve the authenticity of a public figure’s image during a live broadcast.
The concept involves using a handheld device like a smartphone or tablet to continuously produce cryptographic sequences derived from small fragments of live speech. These sequences form a unique QR marker that encapsulates distinctive speech features without compromising privacy or content integrity.
When the QR code appears on the screen beside the speaker, it becomes a verifiable companion to the original recording. The marker travels with the broadcast across different formats, networks, and screens, ensuring that the live event retains a traceable authenticity even after adaptation for various media outlets or platforms.
Beyond creating a unique tag for audio and video, TalkLock performs a detailed analysis of recording features and compares them against the code sequence generated from the original live material. Discrepancies between the live sequence and the marker indicate that the content has been altered or tampered with, providing a signal of potential manipulation.
Researchers anticipate that this technology will offer a practical line of defense against slander and misinformation spread across global networks. By making it easier to confirm whether a broadcast corresponds to a true live event, TalkLock aims to reduce the spread of deceptive material and support more reliable online discourse.
The work builds on a broader trend of anti deepfake measures being integrated into mainstream platforms, including ongoing efforts by major video platforms to curb the impact of synthetic media and improve content provenance tracking. The focus remains on delivering tools that are accessible to broadcasters, journalists, and event organizers who seek to maintain accountability and trust in their communications.