● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
AI Used to Geotag Holiday Photos for Targeted Scams, McAfee Research Shows
Key points
- AI models can identify photo locations from visual cues like architecture and signage.
- McAfee tested two AI models that accurately identified locations in 87-91% of travel images.
- Scammers use this geotagging to make phishing texts and emails more convincing.
- Even indistinct photos can be identified to a country level, sufficient for scams.
AI's Geotagging Capability
Research indicates that artificial intelligence can pinpoint the geographical location where a photograph was taken by analyzing visual elements within the image. These elements include background scenery, architectural styles, signage, and lighting conditions, allowing AI agents to determine specific locations even without embedded metadata or explicit tags.
McAfee's Experiment and Findings
McAfee, an anti-virus software producer, conducted an experiment using two publicly available AI models on over 21,000 travel images. One model achieved 91% accuracy in identifying locations, while the other reached 87%. Internal staff replicating the experiment found it easy to pinpoint their own travel locations, highlighting the AI's effectiveness.
The company noted that computers do not require photo tags or attached metadata to identify where pictures were taken. Vonny Gamot, head of EMEA at McAfee, stated that AI provides context that makes scam attempts and threats more credible.
Impact on Scams and Phishing
This AI capability poses a risk for targeted scams. Criminals can use AI to analyze publicly shared holiday photos, determine the user's travel location, and then craft highly personalized phishing messages. These messages, such as fake bank alerts referencing specific travel destinations, appear more legitimate to victims, increasing the chances of them clicking malicious links and divulging financial details.
Identifying Photo Details
AI is more successful at identifying locations from pictures containing recognizable landmarks, skylines, street markings, and storefronts. While accuracy decreases for generic settings like beaches or hotel rooms, McAfee reports that AI can still often identify the country, which is sufficient for scammers. Examples include ChatGPT correctly identifying a river scene as Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and a flower picture as Keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
New research by McAfee demonstrates that AI can accurately identify locations from holiday photos without metadata, enabling scammers to create more credible phishing attacks. This capability allows criminals to tailor scam messages with specific travel details, increasing the likelihood of victims falling for financial fraud.