The EFF reports that JPEG images will likely get DRM to prevent copyright infringement. The Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) is investigating whether Digital Rights Management (DRM) for images is feasible. The DRM should protect privacy by encrypting metadata in images but also avoid infinite image sharing on the internet.
Some users would welcome that but it could also be the end of websites that generate revenue from sharing 'funny' images. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has objected against the change in the image format. Instead the organisation proposes a different method.
The EFF writes on its blog, "it might be useful to have that individual digitally sign the identifying metadata, and/or to encrypt it against access by unauthorized users. Applications could also act on this metadata, in the same way that already happens today; for example Facebook limits access to your Friends-only photos to those who you have marked as your friends."
The final decision on DRM for JPG still has to be taken, so it's not 100% sure the image format will get DRM, nevertheless chances are big changes will come, but it's unclear when.
