invid

InVID is a research project and a resulting verification plugin designed to combat the spread of fake news and disinformation online. Launched in 2017, it was a collaborative effort involving several European research institutions and media organizations, including AFP, the BBC, and Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR). The primary goal of InVID was to provide journalists, fact-checkers, and researchers with tools to authenticate visual content, particularly videos and images shared on social media.

The InVID Verification Plugin is a browser extension that integrates various verification functionalities directly into a user's web browser. These tools include features for analyzing video metadata, performing reverse image searches, identifying the origin of specific frames within a video, and detecting manipulated content. The plugin aims to streamline the verification process, making it more efficient for professionals to assess the credibility of online information.

The project's research component focused on understanding the dynamics of disinformation campaigns and developing advanced technological solutions for detection and analysis. InVID has also contributed to broader discussions about media literacy and the ethical considerations surrounding online information. While the project itself has concluded, the tools and knowledge developed through InVID continue to be utilized and built upon by various organizations in their ongoing efforts to promote a more trustworthy online information ecosystem.