INTERNET USERS need to remain vigilant as cybercriminals continually devise new methods to defraud individuals. One such privacy risk involves sharing photos through apps like WhatsApp.
Advancements in geolocation technology now allow for precise location information to be obtained without the need to share Google Maps with others. Essentially, a seemingly innocuous photo sent through platforms like WhatsApp can inadvertently reveal sensitive details about the sender's geographical whereabouts.
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| Image created by AI |
How does a photo on WhatsApp reveal the location of your home? Measures to protect your privacy
Digital photos utilize the Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF), storing comprehensive technical details about the image, including the photography equipment used and the exact time the photo was taken. This metadata can encompass specifics such as aperture settings, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and even the geographic coordinates indicating where the photo was captured.
How do photos store your information?
The EXIF system can store Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates in photos, allowing anyone viewing these photos to accurately determine where they were taken. This means you can find out the address and location of the person who sent the photo, for example, whether it was taken at their home or at a specific location.
EXIF stands for Exchangeable Image File Format, which is a standard for image files that creates descriptive data about the image, such as:
- Camera settings: like camera model, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
- Photos information: such as date, time, and geographic location.
- Copyright information: such as photographer's name and copyright details.
EXIF data is stored in a separate file linked to the image file, typically in JPEG or TIFF format.
Privacy concerns:
EXIF data can reveal personal information, such as the geographic location of a person's home or place of work.
EXIF data can be used to track a person's movements.
EXIF data can be modified to deceive people.
How to protect your privacy from EXIF data:
- Turn off location data: Location data can be turned off on most cameras.
- Remove EXIF data: There are many programs that can remove EXIF data from images.
- Be careful when sharing photos: Be sure to remove EXIF data from photos before sharing them online.
How do you know where the photo was taken and reveal its data?
Each operating system offers its own tools to determine the location where a photo was taken by accessing the EXIF data.
Android users can utilize the Google Photos app to display a small map through Google Maps, indicating the photo's location based on embedded geolocation data in the EXIF.
On iOS, accessing EXIF details is possible via the Photos app by selecting the "i" icon, providing access to the location on Apple Maps and other geographic information.
For Windows PCs, a similar process can be carried out using the Viewer app, where users can right-click on the photo to access "file information" containing the geographic location.
These tools offer straightforward and efficient methods to confirm a photo's capture location and comprehend its geographic context across various operating systems, complemented by online resources and tools.
How to delete photo data that contains geolocation data
Geotagging photos has become more widespread due to technological advances, particularly in modern cameras and smartphones equipped with GPS capabilities. Despite its convenience, users have the option to disable geotagging to maintain their privacy, although this may mean sacrificing features like thermal image mapping that rely on location data.
Another approach is modifying EXIF data, which contains geographic location information that can be deleted or altered through camera settings or third-party editing software.
Users can typically deactivate "location tags" or "geotagging" features in their phone or camera settings to protect their privacy.
Alternatively, sharing photos on social media without including EXIF data helps preserve privacy and prevents others from accessing geographic location details. On iOS, users can delete this information from location settings, while Android users can use external apps like Photo Exif Editor for management.
Lastly, to safeguard privacy, it's crucial to take precautionary steps. Users should disable automatic location sharing in their phone apps and ensure personal data is removed from photos before sharing. Using tools to erase geographic data from sensitive photos is also recommended.
