See what your photos are secretly telling the internet
Every photo you share carries hidden metadata. GPS coordinates. Device serials. Timestamps. See it, then strip it.
When a phone or camera saves a photo, it embeds an EXIF block: camera model, lens, exposure settings, timestamp, and — crucially — GPS coordinates if location is enabled. Some social networks strip this before displaying (Instagram, Facebook, X). Many places do not: email attachments, marketplace listings, forums, cloud storage share links, direct file transfers, printed photos scanned back in. EXIF views every tag in your image and, in one click, gives you a clean copy with everything removed.
What EXIF actually leaks
- GPS coordinates — the exact latitude and longitude the photo was taken, often accurate to a few meters. Plot enough photos and you get a map of someone's life.
- Device serial number — links photos from the same phone across accounts, even anonymous ones.
- Owner name + copyright — often auto-filled by DSLRs from the owner's settings.
- Timestamps + timezone — build a movement pattern (was the photo really taken when the caption claims?).
- Software chain — reveals whether an image passed through Lightroom, Photoshop, or a specific AI tool.
- Embedded thumbnail — sometimes not updated after cropping or blurring, leaking the original.
When you should always strip
Before uploading photos to: marketplace listings (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist), personal blogs, forums, portfolio sites, dating profiles, real estate listings, missing-person posters, court documents, or anywhere else you would not hand someone a printed copy of your GPS log.
Social networks that already strip EXIF for you are Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and Reddit (in most cases). Networks that do not consistently strip: Telegram file mode, Discord attachments, Slack file uploads, WhatsApp document mode, and any download link straight from a cloud drive.
Frequently asked
What is EXIF metadata?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is data embedded in most photos by your camera or phone — camera model, lens, exposure, timestamp, device serial, and often GPS coordinates.
Why should I remove it?
Because photos posted online carry this data unless the platform strips it. GPS reveals location; timestamps reveal habits; device serials link separate accounts.
Do social networks strip it?
Some do (Facebook, Instagram, X), some do not (email, marketplace listings, direct file transfer). If you are sharing outside a major social network, strip it yourself.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. Parsing and stripping happen in your browser. Open the Network tab — zero uploads.
Which formats are supported?
JPEG (full support), PNG (limited text chunk parsing). For HEIC or AVIF, convert to JPEG first with our Convert tool.
EXIF vs IPTC vs XMP?
EXIF is camera-generated. IPTC is caption/copyright added by editors. XMP is Adobe's superset used by Photoshop/Lightroom. Our stripper removes all three.
Can I keep some tags and strip others?
Yes — toggle "Preserve orientation" to keep the rotation tag, and "Preserve color profile" to keep ICC. Everything else is removed.
Can I use it for commercial work?
Yes, free for any use, no attribution required.
Metadata handling and social network stripping behavior may change over time. Always verify with a spot check before sharing sensitive photos. This tool is provided as-is with no warranty; use your judgment for high-risk scenarios.