3 ways to remove EXIF ​​metadata from images

Did you know that most cameras have embedded hidden information, called metadata, on every photo taken? And when you share those images, by uploading them to the social network, are those hidden information still embedded in the image?

This metadata is called EXIF ​​data (Exchangeable Image File Format) and is harmless in most cases. However, it can be used by bad guys to inconvenience or even harm you.

Something about EXIF ​​data

Photography is a complex effort. It is not only one of creative and life-enhancing activities, but also requires a strong technique: Exposure, lighting, composition, styling, etc. This is why the courses Online photography is very popular. Even a genius will need decades to gain proficiency for all photographic skills.

EXIF data embeds a lot of technical information into the image itself, making it easy for you to know how a particular photo is taken (great for learning, research and reproduction). For example, EXIF ​​data may include:

1. Manufacturer and camera model.
2. Data and time.
3. Compression type.
4. Aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings.
5. Metering mode.
6. Flash mode.
7. Pixel resolution.

In general, EXIF ​​data is harmless and realistic. The problem is that certain devices may embed some kind of data to violate your privacy and security.

Consider a smartphone equipped with camera, GPS. When you take a photo with an Android device, those photos may contain GPS coordinates where you took the shot. This can be great for geotagging your adventures, but can also reveal the location of your home to strangers, if you upload those photos to social networks. . (But don't take this as a reason to stop using your smartphone as a camera!)

Consider a DSLR camera that you have been using for years. EXIF data not only includes your manufacturer and model, but it can also include the serial number of the device. If you have ever shared or uploaded a related photo, it can be used to retrieve your camera information. It can also be used (theoretically) to find other images on the Internet that you have taken with that camera.

Or maybe you just want to keep your photography tips, through EXIF ​​data.

NSA also collects and analyzes EXIF ​​data. Now this is not surprising, but a few years ago, the released files revealed the training materials of the NSA XKeyscore program and how it aims to use EXIF ​​data (in number of other pieces of data) as part of intelligence.

Is it possible that EXIF ​​data will come back and 'attack' you from behind? Sure is not. But can that possibility happen? The answer is yes. Unless you have reason to keep EXIF ​​data, it's best to delete it.

Here are three easy ways to do that. (Note that some websites, including Facebook and Flickr, delete metadata when uploading. Remember to check the website's policy before uploading!)

3 ways to remove EXIF ​​metadata from images

1. Delete in Windows File Explorer

Windows actually has an integrated method to remove EXIF ​​data from images and use it very simply. Just open File Explorer (using Windows + E shortcut), navigate to your image, right-click it, select Properties, then go to the Details tab .

Windows 10 can detect two types of EXIF ​​data related to photography: 'Camera' and 'Advanced photo'. Camera data includes technical aspects such as aperture, metering mode and focal length. Advanced photo data includes serial number, white balance, EXIF ​​version, etc.

At the bottom, as you can see in the screenshot, you can click Remove Properties and Personal Information to open the EXIF ​​delete tool. This tool allows you to make copies of images with all deleted metadata, or select properties to delete from the selected file.

You can also select multiple images in File Explorer and use this process to remove metadata from all images at once.

The only downside is that Windows 10 cannot (or will not allow you) to delete each bit of EXIF ​​data. It is unclear why Microsoft maintains this limit in Windows 10, but somehow, if you need to completely delete EXIF ​​data it is better if you use one of the two methods below.

2. Delete with GIMP

GIMP is another easy and effective way to remove EXIF, especially if you are using GIMP on a regular basis. It can even be easier and more efficient than the Windows File Explorer method!

Just launch GIMP, open your image, then go to File> Export As . to export the image.

Note : GIMP distinguishes between "saving" and "exporting" - Saving is for projects, while exporting is for images. Make sure you name the image with JPG extension!

After clicking the Export button , you will see a window where you can install export options. Expand the options by opening the Advanced Options control panel and uncheck Save EXIF ​​data . Change other options to your liking, then click Export to finish.

The only downside is that mass removal will be a major obstacle if using this method. You have to open all the images and export them one by one, and although it only takes about five seconds for each image, this can be quite annoying.

You can also do this using Photoshop instead of GIMP, but is it really worth using Photoshop just to remove EXIF ​​data? Probably not - but consider this option, if you plan to take photography seriously and do post-production.

3. Delete with mobile application

If you take most photos with your phone, you should use the mobile application to remove EXIF, instead of uploading and editing images with your computer.

Before you install a third-party application, check the Camera app's settings to see if you can turn off the EXIF data generation option. Some applications can only allow you to turn off this feature, even the location, while others do not allow you to turn off EXIF.

If you still need to remove EXIF, you can try Exif Eraser for Android or Metapho for iOS. Both are free to download, but Metapho requires app purchase to unlock metadata removal capabilities, edit dates and locations, as well as secure sharing with social networks.

1. Download Exif Eraser for Android (Free).
2. Download Metapho for iOS (Free, select the Premium version to remove metadata).

Other tips to note

When you choose an online photo hosting service, consider choosing a hosting service that automatically deletes EXIF ​​data. Also, be sure to check your social network settings, such as Facebook photo security settings. That's just one aspect of sharing too much data online.

Do you often delete EXIF ​​metadata for photos? If so, do you use the tools mentioned in the article? Leave a comment and share your favorite tool in the comment section below!

See more:

1. How to recover deleted photos with EXIF ​​metadata
2. How to view EXIF ​​data of photos on iPhone, iPad
3. How to automatically add EXIF ​​copyright to photos