JPG metadata: what a JPEG file can reveal
A JPG file can carry EXIF (camera, date, GPS coordinates, serial numbers, an embedded thumbnail), XMP, IPTC captions, C2PA content credentials and comments next to the pixels, and DropMeta removes all of those segments in your browser without recompressing the image, keeping only the JFIF header and ICC color profile.
Common JPG metadata fields
| Field | What it reveals | Privacy risk | Removed by DropMeta? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS latitude, longitude, altitude (EXIF GPS) | Where the photo was taken, often to a few meters | High | Yes — the APP1 EXIF segment is dropped; the re-check blocks download if GPS remains |
| Date/time original (EXIF) | When the photo was taken | Medium | Yes — dropped with APP1 |
| Camera make, model and lens (EXIF) | Which device and lens took the photo | Medium | Yes — dropped with APP1 |
| Camera serial number and MakerNote (EXIF) | Vendor data that can link many photos to one device | High | Yes — dropped with APP1 |
| Software (EXIF) | Editing app or firmware version | Low | Yes — dropped with APP1 |
| Embedded thumbnail (EXIF IFD1) | A small preview that may still show the uncropped original | Medium | Yes — dropped with APP1 |
| Orientation (EXIF) | How viewers should rotate the image | Low | Yes — dropped with APP1; a photo that relied on this flag may display rotated |
| XMP packet (APP1) | Editing history, ratings, creator, sometimes location | Medium | Yes — dropped with APP1 |
| IPTC / Photoshop IRB (APP13) | Caption, byline, copyright, keywords, location names | Medium | Yes — APP13 is dropped |
| C2PA / JUMBF content credentials (APP11) | Provenance manifest; may include creator identity and edit history | Medium | Yes — APP11 is dropped |
| Comment segment (COM) | Free text added by a camera or app | Low | Yes — COM is dropped |
| Trailing data after end-of-image (e.g. Motion Photo clip) | An embedded short video or extra container | High | Yes — bytes after the EOI marker are truncated |
| ICC color profile (APP2) | Color space; may name a device or profile | Low | No — kept so colors display correctly |
| JFIF header (APP0) | Pixel density / resolution units | Low | No — kept |
How to remove JPG metadata
Use the image tool: it strips JPG metadata in this browser tab, does not recompress pixels, and blocks the download if its re-check still finds GPS, EXIF, XMP or IPTC data.
- Open Remove metadata from photos and drop or choose a .jpg or .jpeg file.
- Run strip. Metadata segments are removed locally; the compressed image data is copied unchanged.
- Download the cleaned copy. If verification finds leftover metadata, you get an error instead of a download.
FAQ and limits
Does removing JPG metadata reduce image quality?
Not with DropMeta’s normal JPEG strip. It drops metadata segments and copies the compressed image data as-is, so pixels are not recompressed.
Does DropMeta remove GPS from JPG files?
Yes. GPS lives in the EXIF (APP1) segment, which is dropped. After strip, DropMeta re-parses the file and blocks the download if GPS or EXIF data remains.
Why is my photo rotated after stripping?
The EXIF Orientation flag is removed with the rest of EXIF. Images whose pixels were stored sideways and relied on that flag can display rotated; rotate and re-save in an editor if needed.
Is my JPG uploaded?
No. Stripping and verification run in your browser tab. There is no account and no upload.