W
About
ProofMode is a free, open-source mobile application developed by WITNESS and the Guardian Project that transforms ordinary smartphone cameras into trusted documentation tools. When a user captures a photo or video, ProofMode automatically attaches a cryptographic signature along with sensor metadata — including GPS coordinates, device information, network data, and timestamps — creating a verifiable chain of custody for the media file. This makes it significantly harder for bad actors to dismiss footage as manipulated or fabricated. ProofMode is purpose-built for human rights defenders, journalists, and community documenters operating in high-risk environments where the credibility of visual evidence is routinely challenged. The app works quietly in the background, requiring no special technical knowledge to use. All proofs are stored locally on-device and can be exported alongside the original media for submission to legal bodies, news organizations, or archives. The project is part of WITNESS's broader mission to help people use video and technology to protect and defend human rights. ProofMode integrates with secure sharing tools and is compatible with verification workflows used by open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigators. Its open-source nature means the verification methodology is fully auditable and trusted by international human rights organizations.
Key Features
- Cryptographic Signing: Every photo or video captured is automatically signed with a cryptographic hash, making any post-capture tampering detectable.
- Rich Metadata Capture: Automatically records GPS coordinates, timestamps, device details, network info, and sensor data alongside each media file to establish full context.
- Tamper-Evident Proof Bundles: Generates exportable proof bundles pairing original media with its verification data, suitable for submission to courts, journalists, or archives.
- Background Operation: Runs silently alongside the native camera app with no technical expertise required, making it accessible to frontline documenters in any environment.
- Open-Source & Auditable: Fully open-source codebase allows independent security audits, ensuring the verification methodology is transparent and trustworthy.
Use Cases
- A human rights activist filming a protest captures footage with ProofMode to ensure the video is cryptographically signed and cannot be dismissed as fabricated in legal proceedings.
- A journalist documenting conflict zones uses ProofMode to attach verifiable GPS and timestamp metadata to photos, strengthening their reporting and protecting against disinformation claims.
- An OSINT investigator receives ProofMode proof bundles from community witnesses in an internet-restricted region to verify the authenticity and provenance of submitted media.
- A civil society organization trains frontline community monitors in using ProofMode to build a credible, court-admissible archive of human rights violations.
- A news outlet's verification team uses ProofMode-generated proof bundles to authenticate user-submitted footage before publishing breaking news coverage.
Pros
- Builds Immediate Credibility: Cryptographic proof generated at capture makes footage far harder to discredit in legal or journalistic contexts.
- Free and Accessible: Completely free to use and requires no technical background, lowering the barrier for frontline human rights documenters worldwide.
- Privacy-Respecting: All data is stored locally on-device; no footage is automatically uploaded to third-party servers.
- Trusted Open-Source Stack: Built by WITNESS and Guardian Project, organizations with long-standing credibility in human rights and digital security communities.
Cons
- Mobile-Only: Currently limited to iOS and Android; there is no desktop or web interface for capturing new verified media.
- No Built-In Secure Sharing: Exporting and transmitting proof bundles securely requires using additional tools, which may challenge less tech-savvy users.
- Metadata Can Be Sensitive: The detailed location and device metadata that makes proofs credible can also expose a documenter's identity or whereabouts if mishandled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ProofMode and who makes it?
ProofMode is a free, open-source mobile app created by WITNESS and the Guardian Project that adds cryptographic verification to photos and videos at the moment of capture, turning them into tamper-evident evidence.
How does ProofMode verify that a photo or video hasn't been altered?
When you take a photo or video, ProofMode generates a cryptographic hash (digital fingerprint) of the file. Any subsequent alteration to the media will change the hash, making tampering immediately detectable by anyone with the proof bundle.
Does ProofMode upload my photos or videos to the cloud?
No. By default, all media and proof data is stored locally on your device. You control when and how you share proof bundles.
Is ProofMode free to use?
Yes, ProofMode is completely free and open-source. It can be downloaded on iOS and Android at no cost.
Can ProofMode footage be used in legal proceedings?
ProofMode is designed to support the evidentiary chain of custody. While admissibility depends on jurisdiction and legal standards, the cryptographic metadata it generates is specifically structured to meet the requirements of human rights documentation and legal accountability processes.
