ExifCleaner: Free Tool to Remove Image Metadata for macOS, Windows, and Linux Before Publishing

In the digital age, sharing photos online has become second nature. However, many people are unaware that images often contain embedded metadata, known as Exif data, which can reveal sensitive information.

ExifCleaner is an open-source tool designed to remove this data, ensuring your privacy is protected.

Benefits of Cleaning Exif Data

• Privacy Protection:
  • Hides GPS coordinates, camera settings, and timestamps.
  • Protects privacy when sharing images online.
• Security:
  • Removes sensitive information that could be exploited.
  • Reduces risk of data exposure.
• File Size Reduction:
  • Slightly reduces file sizes.
  • Makes images quicker to upload and share.
• Professionalism:
  • Removes unnecessary metadata.
  • Enhances professional appearance of images.

Features

• User-Friendly Interface: Simple, intuitive design for easy use.
• Batch Processing: Clean Exif data from multiple images simultaneously.
• Format Support: Works with popular image formats such as JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
• Drag and Drop: Effortlessly add images for cleaning via drag and drop.
• Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Open Source: Free to use and modify, with a supportive community on GitHub.
• Extremely Fast
• Drag & Drop
• Free and open source (MIT)
• Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Supports popular image formats such as PNG, JPG, GIF, and TIFF
• Supports popular video formats such as M4A, MOV, and MP4
• Supports PDF documents* (partial, see discussion)
• Batch-processing
• Multi-core support
• Dark mode (automatic)
• No automatic updates or network traffic
• Multi-language support
• Relatively few NPM dependencies (no JS frameworks)

Supported Image File Types

• 3G2, 3GP2 – 3rd Gen. Partnership Project 2 a/v (QuickTime-based)
• 3GP, 3GPP – 3rd Gen. Partnership Project a/v (QuickTime-based)
• AAX – Audible Enhanced Audiobook (QuickTime-based)
• AI, AIT – Adobe Illustrator [Template] (PS or PDF)
• ARQ – Sony Alpha Pixel-Shift RAW (TIFF-based)
• ARW – Sony Alpha RAW (TIFF-based)
• AVIF – AV1 Image File Format (QuickTime-based)
• CR2 – Canon RAW 2 (TIFF-based) (CR2 spec)
• CR3 – Canon RAW 3 (QuickTime-based) (CR3 spec)
• CRM – Canon RAW Movie (QuickTime-based)
• CRW, CIFF – Canon RAW Camera Image File Format (CRW spec)
• CS1 – Sinar CaptureShop 1-shot RAW (PSD-based)
• DCP DNG – Camera Profile (DNG-like)
• DNG – Digital Negative (TIFF-based)
• DR4 – Canon DPP version 4 Recipe
• DVB – Digital Video Broadcasting (QuickTime-based)
• EPS, EPSF, PS – [Encapsulated] PostScript Format
• ERF – Epson RAW Format (TIFF-based)
• EXIF – Exchangeable Image File Format metadata (TIFF-based)
• EXV – Exiv2 metadata file (JPEG-based)
• F4A, F4B, F4P, F4V – Adobe Flash Player 9+ Audio/Video (QuickTime-based)
• FFF – Hasselblad Flexible File Format (TIFF-based)
• FLIF – Free Lossless Image Format
• GIF – Compuserve Graphics Interchange Format
• GPR – GoPro RAW (DNG-based)
• HDP, WDP, JXR – Windows HD Photo / Media Photo / JPEG XR (TIFF-based)
• HEIC, HEIF – High Efficiency Image Format (QuickTime-based)
• ICC, ICM – International Color Consortium color profile
• IIQ – Phase One Intelligent Image Quality RAW (TIFF-based)
• IND, INDD, INDT – Adobe InDesign Document/Template
• INSP – Insta360 Picture (JPEG-based)
• JP2, JPF, JPM, JPX – JPEG 2000 image [Compound/Extended]
• JPEG, JPG, JPE – Joint Photographic Experts Group image
• LRV – Low-Resolution Video (QuickTime-based)
• M4A, M4B, M4P, M4V – MPEG-4 Audio/Video (QuickTime-based)
• MEF – Mamiya (RAW) Electronic Format (TIFF-based)
• MIE – Meta Information Encapsulation (MIE specification)
• MOS – Creo Leaf Mosaic (TIFF-based)
• MOV, QT – Apple QuickTime Movie
• MP4 – Motion Picture Experts Group version 4 (QuickTime-based)
• MPO – Extended Multi-Picture format (JPEG with MPF extensions)
• MQV – Sony Mobile QuickTime Video
• NEF – Nikon (RAW) Electronic Format (TIFF-based)
• NRW – Nikon RAW (2) (TIFF-based)
• ORF – Olympus RAW Format (TIFF-based)
• PDF – Adobe Portable Document Format
• PEF – Pentax (RAW) Electronic Format (TIFF-based)
• PNG, JNG, MNG – Portable/JPEG/Multiple-image Network Graphics
• PPM, PBM, PGM – Portable Pixel/Bit/Gray Map
• PSD, PSB, PSDT – PhotoShop Document / Large Document / Template
• QTIF, QTI, QIF – QuickTime Image File
• RAF – FujiFilm RAW Format
• RAW – Panasonic RAW (TIFF-based)
• RW2 – Panasonic RAW 2 (TIFF-based)
• RWL – Leica RAW (TIFF-based)
• SR2 – Sony RAW 2 (TIFF-based)
• SRW – Samsung RAW format (TIFF-based)
• THM – Thumbnail image (JPEG)
• TIFF, TIF – Tagged Image File Format
• VRD – Canon DPP Recipe Data
• X3F – Sigma/Foveon RAW
• XMP – Extensible Metadata Platform sidecar file

Getting Started with ExifCleaner

Download and Install:

• Visit the ExifCleaner website or the GitHub repository to download the latest version.
• Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Cleaning Exif Data:

• Launch ExifCleaner.
• Drag and drop images into the application window.
• Click "Clean" to remove the Exif data.

Batch Processing:

• Add multiple images to clean Exif data from all of them simultaneously.
• Save the cleaned images to your desired location.

Conclusion

ExifCleaner is a vital tool for anyone concerned about privacy and security when sharing images online. By removing Exif data, you can protect sensitive information, reduce file sizes, and maintain a professional appearance.

Its user-friendly design and cross-platform availability make it an essential addition to your digital toolkit.

For more information and to download ExifCleaner, visit the official website or the GitHub repository. Start protecting your privacy today with ExifCleaner.

GitHub - szTheory/exifcleaner: Cross-platform desktop GUI app to clean image metadata

Cross-platform desktop GUI app to clean image metadata - szTheory/exifcleaner

GitHubszTheory