Apple Builds Proprietary Photo Provenance System, Bypassing C2PA Standard Used by Rivals

iOS 27 beta 5 code reveals "Apple Reference Image," an opt-in photo provenance system that verifies images originated from iPhone camera hardware. Apple is not adopting C2PA Content Credentials, already shipping in Canon, Nikon, Sony, FujiFilm, Leica, and Google's Pixel 10. Verification routes through Apple's Private Cloud Compute, positioning Apple as sole attestation authority — raising interoperability concerns.