VeracOS: An operating system extension for the veracity of files

Abstract

As generative artificial intelligence has improved, there is a growing trend of generating false media for spreading misinformation, driving propaganda, and theft through enhanced social engineering. This creates a global concern, leading to a heavy demand for verification and fact-checking of information. Existing solutions aim at educating users or using artificial intelligence to fact-check and detect false documents or media. While these methods provide a measure for combating misinformation, many of these existing methods are inaccurate. Methods such as deepfake detection for videos are an uphill battle as deepfake generation keeps improving and newer methods are created to subvert deepfake detection techniques. VeracOS is introduced and presented as an operating system modification that is easily deployed, can certify files that are created, and ensures that any user can automatically check the authenticity of files across any existing application or platform. VeracOS invents a unique algorithm for certifying and verifying files. VeracOS aims to revolutionize the war against misinformation and exploitation of fake content by introducing several key features: VeracOS allows users or corporations to easily and automatically certify their media. Unlike existing solutions, VeracOS avoids intensive computations, specialized hardware, and private data sharing. VeracOS also allows any user to automatically be notified if the file they are viewing is verified to be authentic. VeracOS does not require the modification of existing applications nor does it require the sharing of private information such as what files or media are being viewed by a user. These key features provide a highly portable and easily deployed system for users of any operating system, including Internet of Things devices and mobile operating systems. Using media files such as images and videos as exemplary file types and using Android as an exemplary operating system, a VeracOS prototype was implemented to allow any user to automatically certify or verify their media files. The results show that VeracOS is easy to use and can be easily run on smartphones without the need for specialized systems, applications, or hardware.