Westmount students build app to protect against doxxing risks in photos

Five Westmount students have created an app that scans photos for personal information before they’re posted online.

A group of five students at The Study in Westmount has developed an app that scans photos for personal information before it’s posted online.

The app, called Safe Trace, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect details in images that could reveal a user’s location or personal information to prevent doxxing, the malicious act of sharing someone’s private information online.

In one example, a photo of students wearing school uniforms triggered a warning because the crests on their blazers could be used to identify where they go to school.

Once risks are flagged, users can choose if they want to remove those details. The app then generates the “safer version” of the photo.

Team lead Xinyi Zhang says Safe Trace is a preventative measure against doxxing, especially for women.

“You don’t know if you’re uploading your personal information online or not. So, I feel like [this] solution can help everyone,” said Zhang.

According to the Government of Canada, one in three women aged 15 to 24 has experienced some form of online harassment. Women are also targeted more often than men.

Safe Trace launched last week and is free.

This initiative was borne out of the Olympia Canada School Competition, which challenges students this year to build something around the theme of AI. Winners will be announced in May.

Amalia Liogas, director of IT at The Study, said the project carries a broader message.

“My hope is that we can show that young girls can change the world,” she said.