Proof of media metadata integrity on HashGraph
This invention presents a dual-layer verification system for authenticating digital media using HashGraph distributed ledger technology. By separately hashing and recording metadata on-chain while keeping media hashes off-chain, the system ensures authenticity while allowing controlled disclosure of the media hash. It supports optional metadata embedding within media files, re-hashing for integrity verification, and browser-based trust links for real-time validation. Rather than preventing deepfakes or deceptive content, this technology establishes a trusted repository and verification framework, providing a reliable news feed of authenticated media. This system enhances media integrity for applications in social media, journalism, and forensic investigations.
1 . A method for verifying the authenticity of digital media through cryptographic validation with 2 trust keys and the Hedera Hashgraph, the method comprising:
Capturing digital media (video or image) and contextual metadata of the digital media via a secure application (IOS, Android, Web, Windows, Mac, Linux) on a capturing device;
Generating a cryptographic hash of the media file (Trust Key 2);
Generating a separate JSON metadata file that includes the contextual metadata of the digital media as well as the media file hash (Trust Key 2);
Generating a cryptographic hash of the JSON metadata file (Trust Key 1);
Storing the JSON metadata file hash (Trust Key 1) on the Hedera Hashgraph distributed ledger via a Hedera Hashgraph distributed ledger transaction (a DAG based DLT);
Verifying media authenticity by matching Trust Key 1 from the ledger with the JSON metadata file hash and Trust Key 2 from the JSON metadata file with the media file hash.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the only strictly on-chain metadata is the cryptographic hash of the JSON metadata file (Trust Key 1).
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Hedera Hashgraph distributed ledger transaction has an attached Hedera Consensus Service (HCS) message that includes at least one of the following:
Media ID;
Media file hash (selectively allowed/disallowed by the user);
Media info URL (configurable as public or private);
Media timestamp;
Media file URL (configurable as public or private);
Last distributed ledger block reference;
Last block timestamp;
Metadata file hash;
Metadata file URL (configurable as public or private); and
Software version.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the JSON metadata file stores off-chain metadata and includes at least one of the following:
Sensor Data:
Accelerometer readings;
Raw accelerometer readings;
Compass accuracy;
Compass direction;
Gyroscope readings;
Heading direction;
Heading accuracy;
Magnetometer readings;
Geospatial Data:
Altitude at the time of capture;
Altitude accuracy;
Geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude);
Location accuracy level;
Speed at the time of capture;
Speed accuracy level;
Device Status & Security:
Battery level at the time of capture;
Jailbroken status of the capturing device;
Distributed Ledger References:
Last recorded distributed ledger block reference;
Last distributed ledger timestamp;
File Identifiers & Links:
Media ID;
Media file hash;
Media info URL (configurable as public or private);
Media timestamp;
Media file URL (configurable as public or private);
Metadata file URL (configurable as public or private);
Device Information:
Model of the capturing device;
Platform (IOS, Android, etc.);
Software Information:
Software name used for capturing;
Software version number;
User Identifier:
A unique identifier for the user capturing the media.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing an automated trust link verification process, wherein cloud-stored copies of media files are to be verified against Trust Key 1 and Trust Key 2, the automated trust link verification process comprising:
Generating a media info URL serving as a trust link that displays the media file and JSON metadata for comparison against Trust Key 1 on the Hashgraph; and
Displaying a verification status in real-time.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the automated trust link verification process:
Allows users to scan a trust link QR code to verify a media file's authenticity;
Supports public or private media verification; and
Enables automated periodic re-verification to detect tampering.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metadata is embedded directly into the media file before transmission.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the media file and metadata are transmitted separately to a cloud storage system for further processing.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing device is checked to determine whether it is jailbroken or rooted.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises verifying against “media of media” fraud by detecting:
Moiré patterns in images or video using ML models;
Light depth inconsistencies using LiDAR sensors; and
Metadata discrepancies in environment-based location verification.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein augmented reality (AR) is used to capture a panoramic scene to mitigate against deception and abuse.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the verification process supports offline media capture and delayed Hedera Hashgraph distributed ledger recording.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a digital rewards system incentivizes verified media submissions using tokenized incentives.