By RecOsint | Dec 1, 2025
You shared more than a selfie. You took a photo of your new car outside your house and sent it to a stranger on a forum. They didn't just see the car. They saw your exact GPS coordinates.
Every time your phone clicks a picture, it embeds hidden data inside the file: – Camera Model (iPhone 16 / Pixel 9) – Date & Time – Shutter Settings – Geolocation (Latitude/Longitude)
"But Instagram removes it, right?" Yes and No.Social Media (Facebook/Instagram/X) automatically scrubs metadata to protect you. BUT...If you send the photo via Email, AirDrop, or as a Document on WhatsApp, the GPS data stays attached.
Before sending sensitive images directly: – Android: Open Gallery > Swipe Up on Photo > Click "Edit" on location > Remove. – iPhone: Tap the "i" button > Click "Adjust" next to the map > "No Location". – PC Tools: Use tools like ExifCleaner to wipe everything.
– Rule: If you want to stay anonymous, scrub the metadata first. – Tip: Turn off "Save Location" in your Camera settings.