Mind Your Weight(s): A Large-scale Study on Insufficient Machine Learning Model Protection in Mobile Apps

Understand

On-device machine learning (ML) is quickly gaining popularity among mobile apps.

• It allows offline model inference while preserving user privacy.
• However, ML models, considered as core intellectual properties of model owners, are now stored on billions of untrusted devices and subject to potential thefts.
• Leaked models can cause both severe financial loss and security consequences.