Reversible data hiding in JPEG images based on two-stage embedding

Reversible data hiding in images has become one of the research hotspots in the field of information hiding. JPEG images are widely used on social networks, and the research on reversible information hiding technology for JPEG images is of great significance. The existing reversible information hiding algorithms for JPEG images generally lack robustness, which affects the practical application of the algorithms. Inspired by the robust reversible algorithm for spatial domain images, this paper introduces a two-stage embedding method into JPEG images and proposes a new reversible data hiding algorithm for JPEG images based on two-stage embedding. First, apply robust watermarking technology to embed watermark information in the image to achieve robustness, and then apply reversible watermarking technology to embed distortion information to realize reversibility. Experiments have shown that, even if the carrier image is attacked, robust watermarks can still be extracted correctly. Although image restoration cannot be completed due to the destruction of reversible watermarks, the visual quality of the restored image can meet the requirements.