PSA: metadata in files

Two paragraphs explain that removing metadata from files, including images and documents, helps protect privacy when sharing. The article lists methods and tools for cleaning metadata across devices and platforms, while noting limitations and security considerations.
#metadata #Exif #ExifTool #MetadataCleaner #Tails

Keypoints

Metadata is data about a file, such as creation date, device model, and GPS location.
Exif refers to metadata for image and sound files.
Several offline and open-source tools exist to remove metadata, including PrivMeta, ExifTool-based GUIs, and OS-integrated options.
Open-source software is preferred for opsec-sensitive tasks, but no solution guarantees complete removal of all metadata.
Practical limitations exist for certain formats (e.g., TIFF, RAW, PDF) where metadata removal can be partial or impractical.