GenSnitch - AI Image Evidence Checker

Overview

GenSnitch is a privacy-first Chrome/Chromium extension that empowers users to quickly assess whether an image might be AI-generated. With a simple right-click action, users can inspect images for Content Credentials, provenance signals, and metadata patterns commonly used by generative AI tools. All analysis happens locally in your browser—no data is sent to external servers.

The Problem

As AI-generated images become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent online, distinguishing between authentic and synthetic content has become critical. However, existing solutions often involve:

• Uploading images to third-party services, raising privacy concerns
• Complex technical processes that are inaccessible to average users
• Expensive or subscription-based tools that limit accessibility
• Black-box algorithms that don't explain their reasoning
• Over-promising accuracy without acknowledging inherent limitations

Solution & Approach

GenSnitch takes a transparent, privacy-first approach to image authenticity checking:

• Simple right-click workflow that works on any image in your browser
• Local analysis—all metadata inspection happens on your device
• Content Credentials verification for images with C2PA provenance data
• PNG text chunk parsing to detect Stable Diffusion parameters and signatures
• Clear, honest reporting that doesn't overpromise: "no evidence found ≠ real"
• Exportable JSON reports for detailed technical analysis

Technical Implementation

The extension was built with privacy and transparency as core principles:

• Pure client-side JavaScript for all metadata and signal analysis
• Content Credentials (C2PA) standard verification for provenance checking
• Custom PNG chunk parser for extracting embedded generation parameters
• Heuristic-based detection for common AI tool metadata patterns
• Modular results UI with expandable details and JSON export functionality
• Zero external API calls—complete offline functionality

Key Features

GenSnitch provides several powerful capabilities:

• Right-click Integration: Fast, manual, non-invasive workflow integrated into browser context menu
• Local Analysis: All processing happens on your device—no data leaves your browser
• Multiple Detection Methods: Checks Content Credentials, metadata heuristics, and embedded parameters
• Transparent Results: Clear breakdown of signals found with expandable technical details
• JSON Export: Export full analysis results for documentation or further investigation
• Honest Limitations: Clear messaging that absence of evidence isn't proof of authenticity

Design Philosophy

GenSnitch is built on three core principles:

• Privacy First: No user data collection, no external API calls, no tracking
• Transparency: Open about what it can and cannot detect
• Accessibility: Simple interface that anyone can use, regardless of technical expertise

Impact & Use Cases

GenSnitch serves various user needs:

• Journalists verifying image authenticity for news stories
• Social media users checking suspicious viral images
• Researchers studying AI-generated content patterns
• Content moderators screening uploaded media
• Anyone curious about the origins of online images