What is InVID-WeVerify Plugin?
The InVID-WeVerify Plugin is a free browser extension built as a verification Swiss army knife for journalists, fact-checkers and human rights defenders. It gathers many checks in one place: contextual information on Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube videos, reverse image search on several engines, splitting videos into keyframes you can search, a magnifier for close inspection, image and video metadata, video rights information, a forensic toolbox for images suspected of manipulation, and queries to a Database of Known Fakes. An assistant suggests which tool fits the content you are checking.
The plugin was first launched in July 2017 in the EU-funded InVID project, extended in the WeVerify project and is now part of the Horizon Europe vera.ai project. All versions have been developed by AFP Medialab, with services from research partners, and the code is published on GitHub. It is listed in the Chrome Web Store as Fake news debunker InVID WeVerify VeraAI. Some demanding tools, such as social network analysis and CheckGIF, and new beta tools including a synthetic image detector and a voice cloning detector, are reserved for registered journalists, fact-checkers and researchers.
Main Features
- Context lookups for Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube images and videos
- Reverse image search across several search engines from one place
- Video keyframe extraction for searching individual frames
- Magnifier and image enhancement for close inspection
- Image and video metadata reader with a map link when GPS data exists
- Forensic filters for images suspected of manipulation
- Database of Known Fakes search and fact check search
- Available in ten languages, with demo and classroom sections for media literacy
How to Get Started with InVID-WeVerify Plugin
- Install the plugin from the Chrome Web Store (it can also be added to Edge from the Chrome store).
- Open the plugin from the browser toolbar, or right-click an image or video link to send it to a tool.
- Paste the URL of the post, image or video you want to check and pick a tool, or let the assistant suggest one.
- Compare the results, such as earlier copies found by reverse search, before drawing a conclusion.
InVID-WeVerify Plugin Pricing
The InVID-WeVerify Plugin is free. A few advanced and beta tools need registration, which is reserved for journalists, fact-checkers and researchers to save computing power and prevent misuse.
Who Should Use It?
- Journalists verifying user-generated images and videos before publishing
- Fact-checkers debunking recycled or manipulated media
- Human rights defenders documenting events from online footage
- OSINT researchers and academics studying disinformation
- Teachers and students learning media literacy through the demo and classroom sections
InVID-WeVerify Plugin Alternatives
- TinEye: a reverse image search engine for finding earlier and edited copies of a picture.
- FotoForensics: a free photo forensics site focused on Error Level Analysis and metadata.
- Forensically: free photo forensics tools that run entirely in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is InVID-WeVerify Plugin free?
Yes. The plugin is free to install and use. Some advanced and beta tools require registration, which is limited to journalists, fact-checkers and researchers.
Which browsers does the InVID-WeVerify Plugin work in?
It is published in the Chrome Web Store. Microsoft Edge can install it from the Chrome store, and Opera can use it after adding Opera's Install Chrome Extensions add-on.
Can the plugin prove that an image or video is fake?
No single tool can. The plugin gives you evidence such as earlier copies, keyframes, metadata and forensic filters, and the developers provide it as is, without warranty. Use the results together with other sources and your own judgement, and use the reserved tools only for genuine verification work.