In the digital photography era, nearly every photo automatically includes various EXIF (Exchangable Image File Format) data. This can include details such as the time and date the photo was taken, the GPS location, camera model, ISO settings, shutter speed, and more. While this information may be helpful for personal record-keeping or for photographers, sharing it publicly on social media or other online platforms inadvertently expose your personal privacy or reveal your routine.

To protect your privacy and personal data, it’s a good idea to remove unneeded EXIF (and other metadata like XMP or IPTC) before posting photos online. Below, we’ll show you how to use the powerful tool exiftool to accomplish this.

Why Remove EXIF Data?

  • Privacy Protection: EXIF data can contain GPS coordinates, as well as time and date stamps. This makes it easy for strangers to learn about your location or habits.
  • Protect Your Equipment Info: Some people prefer not to disclose the phone, camera or gear they use.
  • Reduce File Size: If you plan to use photos on a website or social media, removing extra metadata can slightly reduce the file size, making uploads and page loads faster.

Installing exiftool

exiftool is a cross-platform utility capable of reading and editing a wide range of metadata formats, including EXIF, XMP, and IPTC. The example below shows how to install it on macOS using Homebrew:

brew install exiftool

If you’re using another operating system, you can download the appropriate version from the exiftool official website.

Removing Unnecessary Photo Metadata

Once installed, you can use the following command to strip out unneeded EXIF, XMP, and IPTC metadata. Below, we’re using the file name IMG_1234.JPG as an example:

exiftool -exif:all= -xmp:all= -iptc:all= IMG_1234.JPG

Understanding the Command

  • exiftool: Runs the exiftool program.
  • -exif:all=: Clears all EXIF data.
  • -xmp:all=: Clears all XMP data.
  • -iptc:all=: Clears all IPTC data.
  • -overwrite_original (optional): By default, exiftool creates a backup file (e.g., IMG_1234.JPG_original). If you prefer to overwrite the original file without creating a backup, add this parameter:
exiftool -overwrite_original -exif:all= -xmp:all= -iptc:all= IMG_1234.JPG

It’s a good practice to test on a sample file first, especially if you need to keep certain fields (for instance, some photographers may wish to retain copyright details).

Conclusion

Whether you’re snapping pictures of family gathering or capturing a breathtaking sunset, your phone or camera automatically embeds a wealth of data that may compromise your privacy. By taking a moment to remove unwanted EXIF data before uploading photos, you’ll protect your personal information, reduce file sizes, and help keep your digital life safe.

Once you’re comfortable using exiftool, you can confidently share your photos on social media or blogs, knowing you’ve taken an extra step to safeguard your privacy. Enjoy capturing your favourite moments, without the worry of revealing too much!