Every photo you take contains hidden metadata — including your GPS location. Learn what EXIF data is, why it matters for privacy, and how to strip it.
Every photo your phone takes contains more than just pixels. Embedded in the file is a hidden data layer called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) that records dozens of details: your exact GPS coordinates, the date and time, your camera model, and more.
When you share a photo online, this metadata often goes with it. Most social media platforms strip EXIF data during upload, but email, messaging apps, cloud storage, and direct file sharing typically do not. This means that photo you emailed or dropped in a Slack channel might be broadcasting your home address.
Our EXIF Metadata Viewer lets you inspect and strip metadata: