Drag & drop JPG files here to remove GPS data.

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You can also drag this bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar:
ExifExodus
Click it before you upload photos on a site to automatically remove GPS data.

What is ExifExodus?

ExifExodus is a small piece of open-source code that runs right in your browser and strips GPS (and other metadata) out of your photos before you upload them to other sites.

You don’t have to download any software and none of your data is sent to any servers.

What is EXIF?

EXIF is a type of metadata that is embedded in photo files from most types of cameras and phones.

This metadata includes information about the device used to capture the photo, but also often includes the GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken.

Many users unknowingly share this information with the general public and site/app owners when uploading photos online.

This has been a common vector of privacy lapses, including cases where journalists have unintentionally published photos with GPS data intact.

Recent press has also revealed the NSA’s collection of EXIF data in its XKeyscore program.

Here’s an example of some EXIF GPS data pulled from an iPhone photo:

GPS Latitude Ref      : North
GPS Longitude Ref     : West
GPS Altitude Ref      : Above Sea Level
GPS Time Stamp        : 17:34:20.54
GPS Img Direction Ref : True North
GPS Img Direction     : 273.6840149
GPS Altitude          : 60.1 m Above Sea Level
GPS Latitude          : 40 deg 41' 21.30" N
GPS Longitude         : 74 deg 2' 40.33" W
GPS Position          : 40 deg 41' 21.30" N, 74 deg 2' 40.33" W

How does it work?

You can run ExifExodus whenever you’re uploading photos by using its bookmarklet (available at the top of this page).

When ExifExodus encounters a JPG file, it will remove the EXIF data by copying the pixels to a new image file, similar to taking a screenshot of something.

Alternatively, you can drop your files in the dropzone at the top of this page and receive versions free of EXIF data. You can then save these new files and upload them wherever you’d like.

Is EXIF without merit?

That’s certainly not the implication of this project. Metadata adds another dimension to photos and is valuable for preserving context. This project aims to educate and give users a choice in the matter of sharing it with specific services (and the web at large).

Doesn’t Facebook (etc.) remove EXIF data before displaying photos?

Yes. Although this prevents the general public from accessing your EXIF data, you should be aware that the end recipient is free to use or store the metadata before removing it.

Any caveats?

The ExifExodus bookmarklet won’t work with any site that uses Flash (or any other proprietary plugins like Silverlight) to upload files. For such sites, use the dropzone converter, save the output files, and upload those instead.

ExifExodus only works with JPG files (which is the most common image format to carry EXIF metadata).

Who made this?

Dan Motzenbecker
+ oxism.com
+ @dcmotz <-- follow me for more things like this.
+ github/dmotz

Can I add to or fix something in the code?

Fork it.