TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) will collaborate with Agence France-Presse (AFP), a news agency based in Paris, France, to commence practical verification of an image provenance function that Nikon has been developing in the field of journalism.

Nikon is committed to developing an image provenance function that supports confirmation of image authenticity, aiming to protect individuals and enterprises in the imaging industry from any unfavourable results caused by falsification and/or unauthorised use of images, and to realise a society in which creative and business activities can be conducted with more peace of mind. Ensuring the authenticity of images, especially in the field of journalism, is an important challenge. In order to implement this function in cameras, Nikon will begin the practical verification of its functionality within AFP's workflow. This involves enabling the attachment of information such as sources and provenances from the moment of image capture. The objective is to improve the reliability of news photos and streamline the fact-checking process.

Nikon has newly incorporated electronic watermarking technology into its image provenance function, and is developing a feature that would generate images with embedded watermark data, directly within the camera system. With this electronic watermarking technology, even if the metadata compliant with the specifications of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) is accidentally deleted, the relationship with the original image can be determined, enabling the construction of a more robust authenticity system, thereby contributing to higher-quality image verification.

Nikon will continue to incorporate new elements of the evolving C2PA specifications and conduct development and verification. This function is planned to be included in upcoming products. The timing of its incorporation will be announced separately, once determined.

AFP is proud to unite our strengths with Nikon to address the critical matter of image provenance. Together, we aim to elevate the standards of professional journalism and foster a renewed sense of trust within the public sphere. Through this partnership, we are poised to develop the way images are sourced, verified, and shared, ensuring an unwavering commitment to authenticity and transparency. Together, we work towards a future where the truth matters, empowering individuals and institutions with accurate and reliable information.

AFP is a leading global news agency providing fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the events shaping our world and of the issues affecting our daily lives. Drawing from an unparalleled news gathering network across 151 countries, AFP is also a world leader in digital verification.