Photo MetaClean

Remove sensitive metadata from JPEG and PNG images before you share them. One command, three modes.

Why

Every photo taken with a smartphone quietly carries GPS coordinates, camera model, software and exact timestamps in EXIF. When you email it, upload it to a client portal, or post it publicly, that data travels with the file — a geotag can reveal your home, your office, or a private shoot location. Photo MetaClean strips it at the byte level: no re-encode, no quality loss, no cloud upload.

Install & Run

Zero dependencies — Python standard library only.

# Inspect what's hidden in an image
python -m tools.photo-metaclean photo.jpg

# See the full metadata list (GPS, camera, timestamps)
python -m tools.photo-metaclean photo.jpg --verbose

# Write a sanitized copy
python -m tools.photo-metaclean photo.jpg --clean
# -> photo_clean.jpg

# Overwrite the original
python -m tools.photo-metaclean photo.jpg --in-place

# Verify the tool works on your machine
python -m tools.photo-metaclean --self-check

Works with multiple files at once: python -m tools.photo-metaclean *.jpg --clean.

Options

Why the byte-level strip

Most editors "remove metadata" by re-encoding the image — losing quality and, in some cases, leaving thumbnail or maker-note residue. Photo MetaClean rewrites the JPEG/PNG container and drops the metadata segments themselves:

• JPEG: APP1 (EXIF and XMP), APP13 (IPTC/Photoshop) and COM comments. JFIF, ICC color profile and Adobe APP14 are preserved. Pixel data (SOF/SOS/entropy) is copied byte-for-byte.
• PNG: tEXt, zTXt, iTXt, tIME and eXIf chunks removed. Image data (IDAT) untouched.

No re-encode — an 8 MB photo stays an 8 MB photo, only lighter in data.

Support the Project

Photo MetaClean is free and open source. Like it?

• Get your site audited — €49 — I run the audit and send you the fixes
• Buy me a coffee — one-time support

Report a bug

Found a bug or something weird? Run:

python -m tools.photo-metaclean --report

This opens a pre-filled email. Send it and I'll get notified automatically.

You can also email danyblitz@googlemail.com directly. Use the subject format:

[TOOL-REPORT] photo-metaclean <what happened>

Attach the image or log output if you have one.

License

MIT