| name | image-metadata-scrubbing |
| description | Use when discussing image metadata, EXIF data, GPS removal, or privacy concerns related to photos and images. |
Image Metadata Scrubbing
What is Image Metadata?
Digital images contain embedded metadata (EXIF data) including:
- GPS coordinates: Exact location where photo was taken
- Timestamps: Date and time of capture
- Camera info: Device model, settings, serial numbers
- Software: Editing history
- Thumbnails: Embedded preview images
Privacy Risks
GPS metadata in shared images can reveal:
- Home address
- Work location
- Travel patterns
- Sensitive locations visited
Removal Methods
GPS Only (Recommended Default)
Removes location data while preserving useful metadata like dates and camera settings.
exiftool -gps:all= -xmp:geotag= -exif:gpsinfo= image.jpg
All Metadata
Complete removal for maximum privacy:
exiftool -all= image.jpg
convert image.jpg -strip image.jpg
Tools
exiftool (recommended):
- Most comprehensive metadata support
- Selective removal capability
- Supports all common formats
- Install:
brew install exiftool
ImageMagick:
- Simpler but less control
- Only supports full strip
- Install:
brew install imagemagick
Common Formats
| Format | GPS Support | Notes |
|---|
| JPEG | Yes | Most common, full EXIF |
| PNG | Limited | XMP metadata possible |
| HEIC | Yes | iPhone default format |
| WEBP | Yes | Modern web format |
| TIFF | Yes | Full EXIF support |
Best Practices
- Scrub metadata BEFORE sharing images publicly
- Use GPS-only removal to preserve useful data
- Use full strip for sensitive documents
- Verify removal with
exiftool -a image.jpg
