Remove location data from your personal photos before sending them to someone else

CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod
in General

This post is primarily for those who may not be aware of all the data that is saved to a photo when you take one. A really convenient feature of modern phones and cameras is that they save the date/time/location/camera info/etc in the EXIF data on a photo. This makes it incredibly easy to organize and store photos in your photo library. It also makes it easy for anyone you share the photo with to see that info as well.

If you find yourself sending someone a photo you took (of literally anything, not just private photos), I would highly recommend wiping the EXIF data from the photo, or at least removing the location data. Even if it’s a person you trust, the moment that photo leaves your phone, you no longer have control of it. I have carelessly sent photos to potential buyers of collectibles I was selling and had inadvertently given them the exact location of my home that housed said collectible just by giving them a photo I took on my iPhone.

There are free mobile/desktop apps that can do this for you. It’s one extra step when sending copies of photos, but I think it’s a step worth taking.

  1. Was this helpful at all?23 votes
    1. Yes - I had no idea!
      47.83%
    2. Yes - I already knew this but I haven’t been doing it.
      47.83%
    3. No - I am not worried about this.
        4.35%
    4. No - And don’t tell people about this because I want to know their location.
        0.00%

Comments

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    I have the location feature turned off on my phone. I know where my pictures are taken, I don't need it saving it and inadvertently sending it to anyone else! Paranoia for the win! :s :p Great info though, thanks for sharing!

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

  • [Deleted User]stdisc0827 (deleted user)

    Thank you
    It’s a good information

  • CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod

    @SunsetSnuggles Ah yeah good call. That is definitely the safer option. I want location of all my dumb photos so I have to jump through a few extra hoops. Luckily it’s not too often that I need to actually wipe any data.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    Excellent point.

  • ArachneaArachnea

    Really good info. Just want to add that while GPS coordinates are a big one, EXIF can also include info such as the exact time a photo was taken (including your time zone), your exact phone model, and other things that you maybe don't want to share willy-nilly.

    For Android I really like the app Scrambled Exif because it's extremely simple to use. When sending a photo just share it to the Scrambled app first, and it will immediately present a new share prompt but this time with a version of the photo with all that data removed. Then just send it on through email, a messaging app, etc. like you would normally.

  • WestsideMarcWestsideMarc

    How do you do this on an iPhone?

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    For iPhone, I use Exif Metadata.
    For Windows, I use Opanda IExif.

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