14/06/2026
TECH UPDATE | “Lifting” fingerprint data from selfies
Cybersecurity experts recently warned tech consumers that posting high-resolution selfies showing a person’s fingertips in social media can be a security risk, since fingerprint data could be “lifted” from these.
The development gained traction after Chinese cybersecurity consultant Li Chang showed how fingerprint data could be taken from a selfie, using a photo of a celebrity posing with a peace sign. Such images could be enhanced by malicious proponents using AI enhancement software, and the data extracted from these could be used to fool biometric safeguards.
Though there have been no major incidents involving hacked accounts owing to “lifted fingerprints”, experts note that a “leaked fingerprint data incident” will be challenging to remedy, given that fingerprints, unlike passwords or PIN codes, cannot be readily-changed.