Microsoft develops Photo DNA software

[jman]

Saw this in USA news yesterday and thought I'd share it with yall,


Microsoft Develops Photo DNA Software

http://media.businessday.com.au/technology/tech-talk/microsoft-develops-photo-dna-977800.html

Microsoft has developed Photo DNA, a sophisticated piece of software that breaks down a single image into a grid like structure, similar to fingerprints. With this technology, they can scan internet postings, photo archives, social network sites, blogs, etc. for child pornography.

This technology has been around less than 5 years now but is now entering the private sector. Although, there is no client version available just yet, the possibilites are endless, albeit its very new, it's still under active development.

The Photo DNA software can even still detect the original photo, even if it is 50% changed or altered in some way, making pedophiles weary, no doubt.

I see the software in the next few years protecting copyright holders images too, and possibly more. e.g. Summit has his photos published and someone decides to claim it as their own (as he mentioned earlier as a "momblog" did, LOL, this could potentially be a great piece of software to protect his rights.

This will be very interesting to see this develop...

[Sun Dance]

I'm not sure how this helps fight against child pornography. Would they take the DNA of known child porn photos and run comparisons across the net to see if there are any matches and then prosecute the carrier?

Also, I think people will develop a way around this. It's just like police radars and detectors. Every year a new radar gun comes out, and in response a new detector comes out. It's a constant back-and-forth.