Fighting AI Fake Photos! iPhone Camera App "ZCAM" Launches, Reclaiming Reality Through Encryption Technology

To combat AI forgery, a new startup has launched the iPhone camera app “ZCAM.” Using hardware security isolation zones and the C2PA standard, it writes signatures at the moment of capture to ensure images are unaltered, helping the public independently verify authenticity and prevent AI-related fraud, which is estimated to reach $40 billion.

ZCAM App Debuts, Focused on Countering AI Fake Images

Supported by venture capital firm Paradigm, cryptography startup Succinct Labs recently released the iPhone camera app “ZCAM,” aiming to address the threats posed by AI-generated photos and videos.

Succinct Labs states that the ZCAM App adds cryptographic signatures to images at the moment of capture, creating tamper-proof records that link content directly to the recording device. Through this technology, the public can independently verify whether media files originate from genuine devices and confirm that images have not been digitally modified or AI-generated.

Although commercial AI detection tools already exist, Succinct Labs tested seven well-known ones. While these tools perform reasonably well with unaltered images, their detection rates drop by 96% with simple edits like blurring, compression, or noise addition. Therefore, the research team aims to create a product that can truly distinguish real images through encryption technology.

Image source: ZCAM App Photos taken with the ZCAM App include detailed hash values and other data

Users can now download “ZCAM” from the App Store, take photos, share them, and verify authenticity on https://zcam.succinct.xyz/.

Combining Two Major Standards to Ensure Unaltered Images

The operation of ZCAM is based on calculating a cryptographic hash of the original pixels when a user takes a photo or records a video with the ZCAM App on an iPhone. Then, the iPhone uses its built-in hardware security enclave (Secure Enclave) to generate a unique private key to sign that hash.

The Secure Enclave is a tamper-resistant co-processor where key generation and storage occur in an isolated environment, meaning the keys never leave the iPhone hardware. Subsequently, Apple’s App Attest service produces proof to ensure that the signature indeed originates from the ZCAM application itself.

These metadata, signatures, and proofs are embedded into the media file as a C2PA manifest.

Image source: ZCAM App Explanation of the ZCAM App’s technical principles

C2PA is an open standard jointly developed by Adobe, Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and the BBC. When a platform receives a photo or video shot with ZCAM, it extracts the C2PA manifest, recalculates the hash, and verifies the signature.

If any pixel is altered, the hash will not match; if it matches perfectly, viewers can confirm that the image is authentic.

AI Fraud Losses Estimated to Reach $40 Billion by 2027

As generative AI technology becomes increasingly realistic, the associated fraud risks are also rising.

Succinct Labs cites Deloitte’s forecast, stating that by 2027, generative AI could cause fraud losses in the U.S. to reach $40 billion, a significant increase from $12.3 billion in 2023.

Because commercial AI detection tools are prone to failure, directly generating unique cryptographic signatures using smartphone hardware is a more effective response.

While many industry insiders believe that proving the authenticity of an object is a better solution than simply detecting fakes, the biggest challenge for the ZCAM App now is how to motivate widespread adoption and expand its user base.

In response, Succinct Labs emphasizes the commercial potential of ZCAM and expects this technology to bring tangible benefits to businesses and journalists.

Paradigm Leads $55 Million Investment, Building Zero-Knowledge Proof Network

The ZCAM App development team, Succinct Labs, has a strong foundation in blockchain and cryptography. In early 2024, they completed a $55 million funding round led by venture capital firm Paradigm, with participation from well-known crypto projects like Polygon and EigenLayer.

Succinct Labs states that their product, SP1 zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM), currently safeguards over $4 billion in crypto assets.

In August 2025, Succinct Labs also launched the mainnet of the Succinct Prover Network and activated its native token, $PROVE. This network provides a decentralized marketplace on Ethereum where various dApps can submit zero-knowledge proof requests, and independent provers compete to verify them.

Further reading:
ZK technology goes mainstream! Google Wallet adopts zero-knowledge proofs to create your digital ID. Understand zero-knowledge proofs with the “Zoo” concept explaining zkSync circuit operation.