Metadata Removal from Files and Images

From Resist Together Wiki

Metadata Removal from Files and Images[edit | edit source]

Protecting privacy by stripping hidden data from documents, photos, and videos.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Metadata is information embedded in files that can reveal when, where, and how they were created — often without the user’s knowledge. For activists, journalists, and anyone handling sensitive media, removing metadata is essential to avoid unintentionally exposing:

  • Locations
  • Device identifiers
  • Editing software
  • Timestamps or authorship

Even basic file sharing can leak metadata, putting individuals at risk. This is especially important when publishing media, submitting evidence, or communicating anonymously.

What Is Metadata?[edit | edit source]

  • Image files: Camera model, GPS coordinates, timestamp, lens settings
  • Documents (PDF, DOCX): Author name, revision history, tracked changes, timestamps
  • Videos: Codec info, GPS, embedded time, recording device ID
  • Archives (ZIP, TAR): File structure, creation dates, system names

Tools for Metadata Removal[edit | edit source]

  • MAT2 (Metadata Anonymization Toolkit v2):
 * Command-line tool and available in Tails OS
 * Strips metadata from common file types (images, docs, PDFs)
  • Exiftool:
 * Advanced tool to view and edit or strip metadata from images, audio, and video files
  • LibreOffice / Microsoft Office:
 * Manual document inspection and metadata removal built into export settings
  • PDF Redaction Tools:
 * Tools like PDF Redact Tools (EFF) remove metadata and allow safe redactions
  • ObscuraCam:
 * Android app to remove metadata and blur faces in photos/videos
  • Tails OS / Qubes OS:
 * Privacy-focused operating systems with built-in metadata scrubbing

Use Cases in Activism[edit | edit source]

  • Removing GPS coordinates from protest photos before publishing
  • Sanitizing court or police documents before sharing with media
  • Scrubbing metadata from leaked files to protect sources
  • Blanking identifying metadata from videos shared with legal aid

Best Practices[edit | edit source]

  • Always check files before sharing or uploading to cloud platforms
  • Convert to standard, flattened formats (e.g. PNG from JPEG, PDF from DOCX)
  • Test your workflow with sample files to ensure metadata is actually removed
  • Don’t rely on simply renaming or copying a file — this does not remove metadata

Disclaimers[edit | edit source]

  • **Not all metadata is bad** — but always assume it could be used to trace or identify
  • **Some metadata may survive scrubbing if tools are outdated or incomplete**
  • **Online services may reintroduce metadata or log file associations**

Use multiple verification steps if stakes are high. Combine metadata removal with anonymizing practices like Tor or secure messaging when handling sensitive content.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

  • Advanced forensics may still recover some info
  • Cloud syncing tools may store original versions with metadata
  • Removing metadata can reduce traceability of positive provenance (i.e., verifying authenticity)

Related Topics[edit | edit source]

Resources and Further Reading[edit | edit source]

Legal Disclaimer[edit | edit source]

This page is for educational use. Removing metadata helps protect privacy but does not guarantee anonymity. Always verify that tools are functioning correctly, and combine with broader digital hygiene practices.

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