>> WHAT IS METADATA?

Files contain hidden information that can identify you:

  • [PHOTOS] GPS location, camera model, time taken
  • [DOCUMENTS] Author name, software, edit history
  • [AUDIO/VIDEO] Recording device, location, times

[!] This data has led to arrests!

>> REMOVAL TOOLS

[EXIFTOOL]

Command line tool for all file types:

exiftool -all= image.jpg

[MAT2]

Metadata Anonymisation Toolkit. GUI and CLI. Included in Tails.

mat2 --inplace document.pdf

[SCREENSHOT METHOD]

Take screenshot of image, crop, use screenshot. Removes all EXIF.

>> CHECKLIST

  • [✓] Strip EXIF from all photos
  • [✓] Remove author info from documents
  • [✓] Check file properties after removal
  • [✓] Use neutral filenames (no dates/names)
  • [✓] Consider recreating files from scratch