Definition
Metadata scrubbing
Metadata scrubbing is the process of removing or sanitizing hidden data in files before sharing them.
Selective vs. full scrubbing
Full scrubbing redraws or re-encodes a file to ensure no original metadata remains. Selective scrubbing (or selective removal) allows you to target specific fields like GPS or Author while keeping useful technical data.
Choosing what to delete gives you more control over the balance between privacy and functionality.
Why scrubbing is a privacy essential
Hidden metadata can quietly reveal location history, user names, and software traces. Scrubbing these fields is a standard security practice before publishing documents or images publicly.
Modern tools allow for individual field removal, making it easier to sanitize files without losing important context.
Related tools
More tools that cover similar file tasks.