Photos taken with ‘V’ peace sign can leak personal information, warn security experts

Hacks • September 19, 2019, 3:10AM EDT

Internet security experts have warned that photos taken with ‘V’ peace sign (a hand gesture), could give away personal information via fingertips.

When photos are taken with fingertips facing a camera within 1.5 meters, users' fingerprint information can 100% be disclosed, said Zhang Wei, a deputy with the Shanghai Information Security Association, during the 2019 China Cybersecurity Week earlier this week.

While photos taken from a distance of 1.5 to 3 meters can provide 50% of the fingerprint information, and those over 3 meters make it harder to reveal such information, Zhang added.

Criminals can use such information to unlock payment systems that use fingerprint recognition technology. Zhang has, therefore, advised people not to disclose fingerprint information in photos posted online, such as on social media platforms.

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Yogita Khatri is a senior reporter at The Block, covering all things crypto. As one of the earliest team members, Yogita has played a pivotal role in breaking numerous stories, exclusives and scoops. With nearly 3,000 articles under her belt, Yogita holds the records as The Block's most-published and most-read author of all time. Prior to joining The Block, Yogita worked at crypto publication CoinDesk and The Economic Times, where she wrote on personal finance. To contact her, email: [email protected]. For her latest work, follow her on X @Yogita_Khatri5.