Are You Sharing More Than You Think?

You post a sweet photo of your child’s first day at school. But did you know that picture might also tell strangers exactly where that school is?

Most smartphone photos include hidden metadata — like GPS coordinates, time, and camera info. This data, called EXIF metadata or image metadata, can reveal your home address, playgrounds your child visits, or when you're not home.

One MIT-style study showed only four location points can identify 95% of people uniquely by tracking mobility traces. (securechildrensnetwork.org↗)

Up to 40% of freshly taken photos contain GPS data—and even after sharing, many platforms preserve that data. (pixevety.com↗; Wikipedia↗; SpringerLink↗; onlyexif.com↗)

Share the photo — not the location. Let's fix that.

Privacy for Parents: How to Keep Your Child's Location Private in Photos

What's in Your Photo's Metadata?

Whenever you snap a picture, your phone adds data behind the scenes:

• GPS coordinates
• Date and time
• Camera type and settings

A UK mother posted her child’s school soccer photo. It had GPS info.
A stranger later showed up at the field. (pixevety.com↗; exifdata.org↗)

Another case: Mike, a weekend nature photographer, shared hiking photos online.
He didn't realise GPS data mapped his routine. A thief used that pattern and burglarized his home while he was away. (onlyexif.com↗)

These real stories highlight how easily metadata can compromise your child’s online safety.

Share that image online, and the metadata may go with it. That’s why removing GPS data, EXIF metadata, or any hidden data is key to photo privacy.

What that means for parents:

• A backyard photo can point to your home address
• Playground pics may show the exact spot
• Vacation shots? They tell others you're away

Yes, it's creepy. But it's also easy to stop.

How to Remove GPS Data Before Posting

You don't need tech skills — just the right tool.

Quick Guide: Clean Before You Post

1. Pick a trusted tool
   Use something like DropTidy, a free browser-based EXIF remover. No app needed.
2. Upload your image
   It works right in your browser. No tracking, no storage.
3. Click to clean
   One click strips out GPS data, camera details, and timestamps.
4. Download and share
   You get a clean photo, safe to post.

✔️ Fast
✔️ Safe
✔️ No sign-up needed

DropTidy — a free, browser-based EXIF remover designed for parents who value peace of mind.

Why Removing Metadata Matters

Even some social platforms strip metadata — but many preserve it or overlook XMP sidecar files. (ExifData.org↗; Pixevety.com↗)

Metadata is like your photo’s digital fingerprint. Skip removing it—and you're giving away more than you intended.

Why DropTidy Beats Built‑In Tools

Phones may let you disable location. But built-in tools:

• Can’t remove all EXIF metadata
• May miss XMP sidecar files
• Some platforms keep metadata upon upload

DropTidy is different:

• Works in any browser
• Doesn’t upload your photos
• Removes all hidden data
• Handles multiple photos at once
• No logins. No fluff. Just clean photos — fast.

Common Questions

How do I know if my photo has GPS info? Check your phone's gallery details or right-click the photo and select "Properties."

Can I clean metadata without installing anything? Yes — DropTidy works right in your browser.

Is DropTidy like EXIFTool? Yes, but it's easier. No tech skills needed.

Take Control of Your Photo Privacy

Most people never check metadata. But once you do, you'll never skip it again.

Use DropTidy to:

• Clean GPS data from pictures
• Remove hidden image info
• Share photos without exposing private details

Don't give away your child's location. Clean your images first.

Try DropTidy – Free in Your Browser

Click below to protect your next photo: Open DropTidy – Free Photo Metadata Cleaner↗ No downloads. No tracking. Just safer sharing.

Ever been surprised by what your photo revealed? Tell us in the comments. Or ask us anything.

FAQ: Privacy for Parents

Q: Can people track my child's routine from photo metadata?

A: Yes. If you post photos with timestamps and GPS data regularly, someone could identify patterns like school locations, daily routines, and home addresses.

Q: Do social media platforms automatically remove metadata?

A: Some platforms strip some metadata, but not all. Facebook and Instagram remove GPS data, but it's safer to clean photos yourself before uploading to ensure complete privacy.

Q: Will removing metadata make photos look different?

A: No. Metadata removal only deletes hidden information. The photo itself—colors, quality, content—remains exactly the same.

Q: Should I remove metadata from ALL family photos?

A: Any photo you plan to share online or send to others should have metadata removed. Photos kept privately on your device don't need cleaning.

Q: Can I remove metadata from old photos already posted online?

A: You can't remove metadata from photos already online, but you can delete them and re-upload cleaned versions. Use DropTidy to clean them first.