Combating online impersonation 

Online impersonation, where organizations or individuals credibly pose as others, plays a crucial role in misinformation campaigns, phishing, and fraud. It makes fake messages appear credible, damages the reputations of organizations and individuals, and leads to financial losses and safety concerns. This undermines digital security and trust and has a direct impact on various sectors, including healthcare, banking, and the public sector.

The AuthentiMark project is developing innovative digital watermarking technology to authenticate online content and distinguish genuine content from impersonation. This will make it easier to detect online deception and prevent fraud. 'This is exactly the kind of innovation the Netherlands needs right now: practical, scalable, and directly applicable in sectors where trust is crucial,' notes consortium partner Oscar Covers of the Dutch Banking Association (NVB).

Digital innovation 

AuthentiMark combines technical innovation with research into the use, acceptance, and support of these innovations. The project not only develops new digital watermarks but also examines how organizations can implement them and how citizens can benefit from them in their everyday digital choices. Attention is paid to all citizens, from adolescents to older adults.

'AuthentiMark is exactly what we need right now: technical innovation that truly takes hold in practice', states consortium partner Hugo Smits of Verify. 'With our AI-driven expertise in digital watermarking technology, Verify is pleased to contribute to a scalable approach that ensures trustworthy digital content remains recognizable - especially as online AI-driven impersonation increases.' 

Strengthening the resilience of the digital society

AuthentiMark focuses on strengthening the resilience of the digital society by: 

• Authenticating digital content through watermarking technology; 

• Collaborating with practical partners in technology and policy; 

• Researching adoption within organizations as well as among end users; 

• Supporting digital skills and increasing trust in legitimate sources. 

An interdisciplinary project

AuthentiMark is an interdisciplinary project. From an academic perspective, three leading institutes are collaborating: ASCoR (University of Amsterdam), the Interdisciplinary Hub for Digitalization and Society (iHUB) at Radboud University Nijmegen, and Digital Health at Amsterdam UMC. We are joining forces with experts from policy and practice to develop a scalable solution that makes reliable digital sources recognizable - from government and healthcare to the financial sector. 

Principal Investigators 

Prof. dr. Jessica Piotrowski (Universiteit van Amsterdam), prof. dr. Guda van Noort (Universiteit van Amsterdam), prof. dr. Christian Burgers (Universiteit van Amsterdam).  

Co-applicants 

Prof. dr. Bart Jacobs (Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen), dr. Hanna Schraffenberger (Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen), prof. dr. Marlies Schijven (Amsterdam UMC), dr. Hilde Voorveld (Universiteit van Amsterdam), dr. Sandra Jacobs (Universiteit van Amsterdam), prof. dr. Ulrike Klinger (Universiteit van Amsterdam). 

Co-financers 

Verify; Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken; Yivi B.V. (onderdeel van Caesar Groep); Royal KPN N.V.; Microsoft Nederland; ING Bank; Gemeente Amsterdam; Gemeente Alkmaar; Gemeente Purmerend; GGD Amsterdam; Profound-IT; Nationaal Ouderenfonds. 

Collaboration Partners 

Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties; Dienst Publiek en Communicatie (DPC), Ministerie van Algemene Zaken; Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten (VNG); SURF; Stichting Aanpak Financieel-Economische Criminaliteit in Nederland (Fraudehelpdesk); Nederlands Jeugdinstituut; Fides; Stichting Privacy by Design (PubHubs); Noord-Holland Samen Veilig; Politie; KB Nationale Bibliotheek; Stichting Beeld en Geluid.