Adobe has unveiled a new free application, Content Authenticity, aimed at empowering digital creators to secure proper attribution for their work before it is made public online.
The app, launched this week, allows creators to embed vital information about themselves and their work into their content, creating a lasting digital signature. According to Adobe, the tool enables artists, designers, and content producers to protect their work by attaching verified names and social media accounts directly to their digital creations.
Crucially, the credentials remain attached even if the work is copied, altered, or photographed, helping to maintain a traceable chain of attribution across platforms. Adobe is also collaborating with LinkedIn, Microsoft’s professional networking platform, to integrate its ‘Verified on LinkedIn’ feature within the Content Authenticity ecosystem, adding an extra layer of credibility for users.
Features to empower creators
The Content Authenticity app offers a range of features designed to support creators in maintaining control over their digital assets.
One of the primary features, Attached Identity, allows creators to select the specific information they wish to associate with their work, including verified names and social media links. Adobe has stated that the tool not only ensures proper attribution but also helps artists and professionals build stronger connections with those engaging with their work online.
Another notable function is Batch Apply Credentials, which enables users to embed credentials into up to 50 JPEG or PNG files at once — regardless of whether the content was originally produced using Adobe products. Adobe has confirmed that support for larger files and additional media types, such as video and audio, is expected to roll out in due course.
The application also introduces a forward-looking feature linked to artificial intelligence. Through the Generative AI Training and Usage Preference setting, creators can specify whether they consent to their work being used to train AI models — a growing concern in the creative community.
To ensure transparency, the View Content Credential feature allows users to display and recover any embedded content credentials associated with a digital file. An extension for Google Chrome, along with an Inspect tool within the app, makes it easy for creators and viewers alike to examine the history and attribution of a piece of work, including any edits made along the way when available.
A new hub for digital integrity
Adobe plans to further integrate the Content Authenticity app with its popular suite of Creative Cloud applications. This includes flagship tools like Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom, both of which will soon offer seamless support for Content Credentials.
By doing so, Adobe aims to create a centralised hub where creators can manage their Content Credentials preferences across multiple platforms and projects.
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The move is widely seen as part of a broader effort by Adobe to champion transparency and trust in the digital space, particularly as generative AI and online sharing continue to reshape the creative industries. With concerns mounting over the misuse and misattribution of digital works, Adobe’s new app offers a timely solution for those seeking to protect their intellectual property.
The company said in a statement:
“We are committed to helping creators maintain ownership and control over their work in an increasingly complex digital environment. Content Authenticity is a step forward in building a future where attribution is standard and respected.”
The app’s launch has already been met with positive feedback from the creative community, many of whom have long called for better tools to assert ownership and preserve the integrity of their work online.
As digital media continues to evolve, tools like Content Authenticity may prove vital in ensuring that creators receive the recognition — and protection — they deserve.
