Research Shows Fingerprints Can Be Duplicated from Digital Photos

Can Fingerprints Be Cloned from Photos?

With technology improving all the time, many of us assume our security measures are getting stronger and more trustworthy. Fingerprint scanning, for example, is seen as far more secure than simple PIN codes or passwords because each person’s fingerprint is unique. In movies and stories, we often see characters stealing fingerprints from physical surfaces, but the idea of pulling fingerprint data from a digital photo hasn’t received much attention—until now.

Researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Informatics (NII) have shown that it is possible to regenerate a person’s fingerprint using just a photograph. They were able to do this from images taken from distances of up to three meters away. However, not every picture will work. For the technique to succeed, the photo needs to be high resolution and taken in good lighting conditions.

This isn’t the first time fingerprint data has been pulled from a photo. More than two years ago, a group of hackers claimed they could recreate the fingerprint of German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen using a picture of her thumb that was taken at a press conference.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

While the idea may sound far-fetched, the risk is real enough that some high-profile individuals already take precautions. Many choose to wear gloves to protect their biometric data. When it comes to everyday photos, it’s wise to avoid posing with a two-finger peace sign, as this can make your fingertips clearly visible. The Japanese researchers also suggest using a special “biometric jammer”—a transparent film embedded with titanium oxide that can be applied to the fingertips. This film hides the print but still allows fingerprint scanners to work. Unfortunately, this jammer film won’t be available commercially for at least another two years.