SCFformer: a binary data hiding method against JPEG compression based on spatial channel fusion Transformer

To enhance information security during transmission over public channels, images are frequently employed for binary data hiding. Nonetheless, data are vulnerable to distortion due to Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compression, leading to challenges in recovering the original binary data. Addressing this issue, this paper introduces a pioneering method for binary data hiding that leverages a combined spatial and channel attention Transformer, termed SCFformer, to withstand JPEG compression. This method employs a novel discrete cosine transform (DCT) quantization truncation mechanism during the hiding phase to bolster the stego image’s resistance to JPEG compression, using spatial and channel attention to conceal information in less perceptible areas, thereby enhancing the model’s resistance to steganalysis. In the extraction phase, the DCT quantization minimizes secret image loss during compression, facilitating easier information retrieval. The incorporation of scalable modules adds flexibility, allowing for variable-capacity data hiding. Experimental findings validate the high security, large capacity, and high flexibility of our scheme, alongside a marked improvement in binary data recovery post-JPEG compression, underscoring our method’s leading-edge performance.