Methodology

ValidatesOnline returns evidence packages, not unsupported binary verdicts. Every analyzer follows the same result contract.

1. Decision state — confirmed, likely, suspicious, inconclusive, unavailable, or failed.
2. Observed evidence — deterministic facts with timestamps.
3. Heuristic indicators — explainable signals with documented limitations.
4. Provider evidence — source, freshness, availability (or unavailable).
5. Missing checks — what could not be tested and why.
6. Recommended actions — prioritized and localized next steps.
7. Privacy record — what stayed local vs transmitted.

Image forensics methods such as ELA can flag legitimate edits and platform re-encodes. Hash matches do not prove a trustworthy source. Missing C2PA credentials do not prove fakery. A sender payment screenshot never confirms funds received.

Privacy · Safety