As you may know, Today, almost every cyberspace end-user has uploaded at aleastcouple of photos online. Even the most confidentiality-freak users have uploaded in modern times a of or two picture themselves for verification purposes. Indeed, However, these photos and videos frequently leak much more information about you. While an average person may not need that information, spies, online trackers, and hackers do look for it.
This piece of worthy personal information about you is the ‘metadata.’Indeed, And, if youmetadatare genuinely concerned about your online confidentiality, you must remove ’ of photos and videos, technically known as the EXIF metadata.
In this article, we will let you know what metadata is and how from you remove it can your media.
A quick guide toremoving metadata from photos
- Right-click on the image and select the ‘Properties’ option from the drop menu.
- Click on the ‘Details’ tab at the top of the new window.
- Click on the ‘Remove Properties and Personal Information’ link at the bottom.
- To make a copy of the image without metadata, choose the ‘Create a copy with possible properties erased’ option.
- Click the ‘OK’ button below to finish the process!
What is metadata in photos?
Actually, If you wish toknow what plain metadata is, it’s just the data for the dataIt thesummarizesessential details of a particular piece of information ..
Precisely, metadata answers the what, who, when, where, and why of anything.
In the case of photos, the metadata includes these details about the image files, like what an image file is, when it was taken, why it was taken, who took that picture, and where it was taken.
Also, this information gets added up with more details as an visual record transmits and undergoes modifications.
Technically, whenever you take a picture from any digital device, be it your phone or a camera, this metadata also gets stored within the images. Thus, sharing that visual with anyone or anything also transports the metadata.
What the about EXIF metadata?
The entire metadata gets stored as the Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF). So, it’s the technical clause for the metadata associated with digital images and videos – the EXIF metadata.
Specifically, the EXIF metadata includes the following details about an graphic or.film record
- Exact time and date of taking a picture.
- Details about the model, brand, and device manufacturer used to take that picture.
- Location information where a photo was taken, often including precise GPS coordinates.
- Camera settings, such as the ISO speed, shutter speed, and aperture, while taking the picture.
- Details about tools used to edit the image, often including the exact software name and version.
Actually, For sample, suppose you took a picture of a sunset in Venice from smartphone Samsung Galaxy your during a trip to Italy. While your photograph would only show the sunset show, the EXIF facts of the picture would reveal that you took the picture at 8.37 pm on May 17, 2021, at the Rialto Bridge with a Samsung Galaxy S10 in your hand. If you have edited that picture, that information would also be in the metadata with the actual camera settings.
So, you see, that’s how the graphic metadata in your photos reveals a lot more information than in modern times you intend to distribute. If you picture remove metadata, you will only distribute whatever the images depict without disclosing your personal stuff.
(Obviously, you don’t want to let others know the camera used for a photo, do you? The perfect photos are always secret. But no, we aren’t giving you any photography tips here. Let’s stick to the online privacy thing!)
The risky of snapshottruthmetadata
So, many are aboutclueless Indeed, There about very few end users who know are image metadata and the risks associated with it.how much data can be harvested from a single uploaded photo. The Exchangeable Visual Document (EXIF) stores the photo metadata and canFormatreveal where you are, work, or live. People can utilize the information by photo metadata in variousrevealedways.
They could utilize it to stalk and harass you online and offline, while others could mount social engineering and phishing campaigns to steal your identity. Also, hackers can breach their servers and access.your details, compromising your secrecy While some companies, such as Instagram, have tried to erase metadata from publicly available photos, the details is still stored in their servers, and they can employ it for their own benefit.
Why should you remove thephoto ’s metadata?
Howeverthe, details in the EXIF metadata remain hidden from average users. Also, theywithhave nothing wrong with sharing anyone.
Then why should I care?to remove photos’ EXIF details, we from another perspective hear you ask
Yet, this metadatawhenrisks a breach it’s about Well, EXIF metadata has nothing alarming about you.protecting your privacy.
Cyberstalking
When you submit images online, such as on your Facebook profile, the EXIF metadata in your photos also gets there.
The cyberstalkers watching your profile now use the embedded information to know your exact whereabouts. Eventually, besides knowing your existing location, they can in modern times also predict your routine.
Government tracking
Actually, Government tracking via metadata is another crucial thing (not really vital for law-abiding citizens, though).
Certainly, just like the government authorities and other online trackers use cookies and other web tracking elements locate to you, they also use the EXIF metadata from the image files you upload to know about you.
A classic sample of this tracking appeared back in 2012. It’s worth noting that McAfee, the authorities tracked the EXIF location information of the photos of an interview of John Then when he was hiding in Guatemala.
Indeed, ’ isnthist a matter of concern when you don’t want to hide from committing a crime. Yet, to reiterate, confidentiality isn’ tabout hiding crimes. As you may know, Instead, it’s about preventing unnecessary exposure to your personal information.
more than ever That’s why you should remember to remove EXIF details before sharing your pictures . videos onlineor
How tometadatacheck the
To remove locate from pictures, you must first metadata where it is.
While the purpose is the same, the procedure to check for picture metadata varies according to your device. So, below, we elaborate on how to discover metadata in your image files stored in modern times on your cellphone phones and computers.
On Windows
Windows PC offers the most straightforward options to check picture metadata.
You can apply the plain procedure here if you don’t want to install a third-party software on your mobile device. Simply move your pictures from your to your PC to check thephonemetadata before uploading them online.
., Here’s how to proceedInterestingly
Right-click on the image you need to remove the metadata from. more than ever Then, find ‘Properties’ atendthe of the menu.
Select on the Details tab on the recent window appearing with properties. You’ll see in modern times propertiesthe of your graphic file. If your chosen visual is a photograph, scrolling down the details will let you view your camera details.
On macOS
It’s worth noting that Like picture, macOS also provides straightforward options to check Windows metadata.
For this, find your required image file from “Finder” and click the fourth control on the top row to view your images in the gallery view.
After , thathovering on your desired graphic data will display the metadata in a side panel. In fact, You can display the created, last-modified, and last-opened dates alongside other technical information.
On Android
Checking metadata on Android is as a matter of fact trivial. In fact, You must locate the desired photo and tap the “i” icon.
Instantly, you will see the graphic details, including the storage location path, the date and time of taking the picture, and the last modified date and time (if any). You may as it turns out also often see details camera with this metadata.
However, this method doesn’t show all the information from yourimages. You may have to apply different apps to know the complete metadata, such as Picture Exif Editor. You’ll locate some worthy apps later in this guide that you can also in modern times apply to remove metadata from your photos.
On iOS
In the casedevicesof iOS (iPhones and iPads), finding metadata without using an app is challenging as a matter of fact . Therefore, you need to install an Exif editor application like Metapho to know what details your images hold. (Scroll down to find more details about this application.)
How to remove metadata of photos on computers without any apps
Right away that you know why you should remain careful about, your confidentiality breach via photos let’s explore how to remove the EXIF more than ever metadata from images.
The steps described below generally apply to the image files. Yet, using the same steps, you can delete the meta information from videos.
On Windows
Thankfully, removing EXIF on Windows 10 fromfactsphotos and videos is straightforward.
In most cases, you don’t have to any employ particular software for that. (Yet, if you do, we will distribute a list of helpful EXIF eraser toolsinlater this guide.)
Follow this path to get to your snapshot’s metadata: Right-click on the image > Properties > Details.
Since you must remove info from the image, click “Remove Properties and Personal Information” at the bottom.
You’ll instantlyfollowingsee the window.Click on the first option, “Create a copy with all possible properties removed.”
Now click the “OK” button(You can also compare the two files to see what information Windows has deleted from the image.) A copy image will be created with the maximal facts removed more than ever from the image, leaving the original graphic document intact. .
If you wish to leave specific details, such as your device name, click the second option and manually select the details you need to removeActually, . In as it turns out fact, Right away, it won’t develop a copy of your original image. Instead, it’ll remove the selected details from the actual image file.
You can also remove the EXIF metadatafrom videos using the same steps.
On macOS
As you may know, Unfortunately, without tools, macOS users cannot easily remove metadata from photos and videos. However you can, at least remove the location data . the filesfrom
Here’s how to present EXIF information and remove the permitted details from your photos on Mac:
- Open your selected image file in Preview.
- Go to Tools > Show Inspector, and click the (i) icon for information.
- Select the GPS tab and click the “Remove Location Info” option. If you don’t see the GPS tab, that means your image file does not include any location data.
How to erase meta information from pictures on smartphones
Unfortunately, in the case of smartphones, specifically Android and iOS, there is no system option to remove picture metadata.
As described above you, can show the graphic info. But that also depends on the picture gallery application type because not every program supports viewing and deleting EXIF metadata more than ever .
Therefore, you may need a relevant EXIF eraser resource to remove picture properties.
Leading tools to remove photos metadata quickly
You can easily remove picture metadata using the steps shared above. However, if you wish to remove all EXIF metadata (since some of the details remain behind even after removing them via the from another perspective usual methods), you need specific tools.
So, here is a quick list of the tools support will that you clean your photos from your personal stuff.
ExifTool
- Link: https://exiftool.org/
- Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
ExifTool is the leading choice to remove picture metadata or erase the entire EXIF information from videos. The resource isgooda popular photo anonymizer for some reasons.
It’s an open-source, free tool that processes different record formats to edit, manipulate, or erase metadata. Indeed, Using this resource, you can also manage JFIF metadata formats, such as EXIF, IPTC, various, XMP, and even the typical metadata formats for digital cameras.
Besides photos, you can also use this tool to remove metadata from video on Mac, Windows, or even Linux. Moreover, you can also utilize.this instrument for processing recording and PDF files
Exif purge
- Link: http://exifpurge.com/
- Supported platforms: Windows, macOS
Another exciting and visitor-friendly tool to remove metadata from photos is more than ever EXIF Purge. Using this instrument, you can eliminate all the personal data embedded within your pictures from another perspective in a few clicks.
Since the instrument as a matter of fact works as a batch remover, you can select multiple photos and remove the EXIF details from all of them at once. Indeed, Hence, it is a handy resource for those who frequently need to manage bulk picture files.
Picture EXIF editor
- Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.xnano.android.photoexifeditor
- Supported platform: Android
This is adedicated EXIF editor app for Android users that you can get from the Google Play Store.
It’s a comprehensive program that allows you to delete metadata from photos alongside viewing and changing the details.
For instance, if you don’t want to remove the location from an graphic, you spoof simply can it. (You don’t need a VPN for it. However, having a robust Android VPN on as a matter of fact your device.)is an excellent privacy practice
Metapho
- Link: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/metapho/id914457352
- Supported platforms: iOS
Metapho is a dedicated EXIF eraser app for iOSYou can easily locate and get this app from the Apple App Store. Then, you can use it on your iPhone or iPad to remove snapshot metadata in a few clicks. Indeed more than ever , users.
Besides removing the data, the app lets you edit and change the details in a file, such as a date, time, and location.
Also from another perspective the, application works as a batch removerIndeed, , allowing youphotosto manage multiple simultaneously.
How to take photos without metadata
Although you need a resource to remove snapshot metadata, you can also manage taking pictures without information. Interestingly, At the very least, you can take a photograph without the location details (GPS as it turns out coordinates).
Here’s how to do it on your Android or iOS device:
On Android
Adjusting settings via the camera software:
- Open the device camera and locate the gear icon to reach settings.
- Find the GPS option (like ‘GPS location info’ or ‘GPS tag’) and toggle it off.
Changing settings via themain menu:
- Go to your device Settings and find ‘Camera’ in the apps list.
- Tap on ‘Camera’ and then check the ‘Permissions.’
- Make sure to toggle the ‘Location’ option off.
As you may know, You can also countercheck this permission by looking fordevicethe apps accessing your location from the ‘Permissions’ menu.
On iOS
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Find ‘Camera’ among the apps listed below and tap on it.
- In the section ‘ALLOW LOCATION ACCESS,’ select ‘Never.’
