ALTERTRACE FOR CONSUMERS / PHOTO VERIFICATION
Your photo is genuine. The shop says it is AI.
Unusual light, smooth textures or strong HDR are not proof of fraud. AlterTrace analyses the file through six independent layers and produces a PDF report to support a factual response to a rejected claim.
£4.99 per case · up to 5 images + 2 follow-ups · no account or subscriptionPhones and apps process an image before the retailer sees it.
blends multiple exposures
An iPhone can capture several exposures and combine them. Shadows, highlights and edges then reflect computational processing by the camera.
Apple — iPhone camera HDR ↗may remain after compression
Google Photos Storage saver compresses images, may change their format and resizes larger photos to 16 MP.
Google Photos — backup quality ↗one infallible detector
A large study of 16 methods across 12 datasets found no universal winner and substantial performance variation by material.
Detector benchmark, 2026 ↗HDR, compression or missing metadata do not prove authenticity. They do explain why appearance alone or one detector should not automatically decide a claim.
A genuine claim can get trapped between retailer caution and imperfect image evidence.
A retailer may verify evidence, but suspicion is not proof. Preserve original files, explain how the images were captured and transferred, and present an analysis that shows both supporting signals and limitations.
The photo looks ‘too perfect’
Night mode, denoising and sharpening can smooth surfaces or create hard edges. That is camera processing, not automatic proof of generation.
EXIF data is missing
Metadata may disappear through messaging, cloud export, editing apps or screenshots. Its absence limits analysis but does not itself prove manipulation.
The product changes between views
White balance, lenses and perspective alter colour, proportions and the apparent shape of damage. Assess the series rather than one frame.
The shop cites an AI detector
A percentage without the method, threshold and context does not settle a case. A stronger assessment compares several independent signals.
The report does not conduct the dispute for you. It organises technical arguments.
These examples show proportionate use without promising that a retailer must reverse its decision.
Shop: ‘this looks AI-generated’
- you have the phone original
- several views show the same defect
- analysis finds no material generation signals
Shop: ‘the file was edited’
- the image passed through an app or cloud
- the report shows compression or removed metadata
- two new views are available
An AlterTrace report is not expert testimony and does not bind a retailer. It can show that automatically labelling a genuine image as AI is not sufficiently supported by the signals assessed.
We do not side with the shop or the customer. We analyse the file.
The same methodology works on both sides of a claim. AlterTrace evaluates file forensics, metadata, image structure and independent models in one readable result.
Up to 5 images initially
One price covers a fuller evidence set: product view, defect, packaging, label and another perspective.
2 follow-up images
For seven days, add two new views if the retailer requests a specific angle or new information emerges.
Six analysis layers
We assess AI generation, local manipulation, metadata, compression, file structure and image microstructure.
A shareable PDF
The result, signals and limitations form a document you can attach to a retailer or marketplace response.
No contact details
No account, phone number or email. A secure case link retained in your browser provides access.
Automatic deletion
Images, results and technical case records are automatically deleted after seven days.
Preserve the originals first. Then reply to the shop.
Do not overwrite images
Keep files without filters, cropping or re-saving. If you sent a screenshot, locate the original camera file too.
Upload up to 5 views
Include the whole product, close-up, another angle, label or serial number and packaging when relevant.
Read the complete report
Do not quote only the final percentage. Review agreement between layers, file quality, metadata and limitations.
Reply without accusations
Explain capture and transfer, attach originals and the report, and ask for the technical basis of the retailer's assessment.
A report supports an argument. It cannot guarantee a successful claim.
We cannot promise that a report will force a retailer to accept a claim. We provide technical material so your answer can be more than: ‘please believe me’.
- Low risk is not a guarantee of authenticity; it means the assessed layers found no strong manipulation signals.
- High risk may reflect generation, editing, unusual processing or poor file quality and needs context.
- Compression, screenshots and missing originals can remove useful forensic information.
- The PDF is not court expert evidence, an authenticity certificate or a claim decision.
- The retailer should consider it alongside the product, purchase record, communication and other evidence.
How to check and document that a claim photo shows no detected signs of AI generation
When a shop says a photo is AI-generated, the customer may not know how to prove it is real. HDR, sharpening, missing EXIF and messaging compression can all change a genuine file, so a claim image should be assessed through multiple layers rather than appearance alone.
AlterTrace combines metadata, JPEG or PNG structure, compression, generator signatures, local anomalies and independent models. A photo authenticity report can help organise a response when a retailer disputes claim evidence.
The strongest material is a set of original photos from several angles. One analysis covers five initial images and two follow-ups within seven days, letting the defect be shown alongside the full product, label and packaging.
The service does not replace the claim process or expert testimony. Its role is to reduce guesswork with a result usually delivered in under 60 seconds and a transparent PDF report.
What if a shop labels a genuine photo as AI?
01Will the report prove my image is definitely real?+
No. It can show low risk and no detected generation signals, but no method can guarantee the authenticity of every file.
02Must the retailer accept the report?+
No. It is additional technical material, not a binding decision, but it can challenge a conclusion based only on appearance or one detector.
03What should I upload?+
Prefer original phone files: the whole product, defect close-up, another angle, label or serial number and relevant packaging.
04Is a screenshot enough?+
It can be analysed, but contains less information. Add the original whenever possible.
05How many images are included?+
Up to 5 initial images and 2 follow-ups in the same case for seven days, with no second payment.
06How do I return without an account?+
Keep the secure case link in the same browser. It provides access to the result and follow-up upload.
07How long are materials stored?+
Seven days, after which images, results and technical records are deleted automatically.
08How fast is the result?+
Usually under 60 seconds, depending on file count, size and external layer availability.
Sources and methodological context
These sources explain image processing and detector limitations; they do not decide an individual claim.
ALTERTRACE / FOR CONSUMERS