Best EXIF Tools to Anonymize Images in Linux

Best EXIF Tools to Anonymize Images in Linux

The Exchangeable Image Documents Layout (EXIF) is an strenuous structure for saving an image’s metadata. While justifiable for cataloging pics, it can be a aggravation for judiciousness-premeditated users. This is since EXIF contains sensitive clarifications such as the form of webcam menisci and also the gap of wherein you took your image. This comprise-upward will divulge you some of the safest contraptions that you can earn earn serviceability of of to read, match, and also separate EXIF tags on your images in Linux.

1. Metadata Remover

Metadata Remover is an straightforward-to-earn earn serviceability of of visual energy that can separate EXIF information from your pics. Based on the effective mat2 CLI prospectus, it lends a sleek and also accessible drag-and also-depreciate individual interface that can both read and also delete metadata. This renders it skimpy to users that don’t pine to sprinted command-queue reigns once anonymizing their pics.

One of the biggest services of Metadata Remover is that it can in addition separate metadata from non-image documents. For instance, the app can separate sensitive precisions from MP3 documents, MP4 videos, and also PDF documents. As such, Metadata Remover is a pleasing “one-hamper app” for anonymizing your digital documents.

Pros

• Comes via a sleek and also accessible GUI
• Accessible as a mobile phone Flatpak app
• Can separate metadata from non-image documents

Cons

• Doesn’t strengthen MKV and also WebM documents
• Doesn’t offer an selection to model a “spick-and also-expectancy” record xerox once soliciting rid of metadata
• Flatpak sandboxing can lead to worries once accessing municipality documents

FYI: learn how you can earn earn serviceability of of Flatpak to mount the Telegram messenger on Linux.

2. ExifTool

ExifTool is a extremely flexible command queue prospectus for reading and also soliciting rid of EXIF tags in Linux. It stabilizes a wide smorgasbord of layouts incorporating XMP, JFIF, and also also ID3. Further, ExifTool in addition stabilizes desperate handling which renders anonymizing your pics both rapid and also straightforward.

Exiftool can in addition model “metadata-single” ago-ups of your pics and also model tradition individual tags that can involve any form of message information. This renders it justifiable for both judiciousness-premeditated users and also information archivists that pine to spick-and also-expectancy their pics and also withhold their metadata.

Pros

• Maintains a substantial figure of metadata layouts
• Can export EXIF information on external replacement documents
• Can perform desperate handling once revising and also soliciting rid of EXIF information

Cons

• Necessitates familiarity via the command queue
• The default output can be obtuse to brand-new-made users
• Doesn’t fully separate the EXIF metadata on some image layouts

3. ImageMagick

ImageMagick is a powerhouse software suite that can strip metadata from any image record. Via its identify and also mogrify selections, ImageMagick can read and also separate any information from your pics incorporating tradition individual news.

One of the advertising and also advertising times of ImageMagick is that it does unwanted than separate information from your pics. It can model, edit, and also also convert them from one style to one more. This renders it a handy tool if you’re gazing for an “all-in-one” tool that can handle both EXIF and also image editing.

Pros

• Can collect and also convert pics on the fly
• Ranked in most Linux distros as a dependency
• Possesses the contraptions to perform rudimentary image editing on the command queue

Cons

• Doesn’t separate all metadata from a digital image
• EXIF removal selections can be limited
• Could recompress the image after you separate its metadata

Nice to recognize: check out unwanted of ImageMagick’s capacities by granting the most of and also resizing pics from the Linux termal.

4. jhead

Jhead is a moderate EXIF manipulation tool for Linux. Polymorphous ExifTool and also ImageMagick, jhead specializes in reading and also editing the headers of JPEG pics. By default, it can read and also separate all the stock tags out of JPEG pics. This encompasses your webcam’s sensing unit, implement, and also also your range from the image’s topic.

An additional fulcrum attribute of jhead compared to polymorphous other contraptions is its focus on software minimalism. The programmer of jhead designed the prospectus to be as moderate and also self-contained as you can most likely think of. Not single does this implement the prospectus sprinted rapid, however it can in addition be a pleasing takeoff point for any brand-new-made programmer that’s fascinated in learning about JPEG and also the EXIF information texture.

Pros

• Resource code is moderate and also doesn’t telephone call for any secondary dependences
• Runs rapid on computer systems via little fragment to certainly no resources
• Supplies most of the services obtainable in bigger EXIF contraptions

Cons

• Singular jobs via JPEG documents
• Its simpleness can be limiting to some users
• Can be hostile to non-programmers

5. Exiv2

Exiv2 is a effective command queue prospectus for reading and also soliciting rid of EXIF metadata in Linux. Similar to ExifTool, it can job via several layouts such as EXIF, IPTC, and also ICC shade information. This renders the app flexible to the selections of precisions that you can match granting it justifiable for both image estimate and also anonymization.

Aside from that, one more advertising and also advertising point of Exiv2 is its aptitude to rectify any encoding missteps and also its shorthand jotting for acclimating any EXIF metadata tag. For instance, you can sprinted exiv2 ad -Y 1 ./image.jpg to contain one year on the timestamp of “image.jpg.” Ultimately, Exiv2 is a pleasing “all-in-one” tool not single for soliciting rid of metadata however in addition for untangling and also tweaking it.

Pros

• Comes via several shorthand commands for without standoff editing and also soliciting rid of EXIF information
• Comes via a C++ library that you can earn earn serviceability of of to contain Exiv2 to your exceptionally own reigns
• Can rectify encoding missteps and also possesses a momentous purpose for recovery the ISO tags on pics from Canon and also Nikon cameras

Cons

• The default output can be lacking for some users
• Doesn’t have as a substantial amount style strengthen compared to ExifTool
• Some distros might not have it in their databases

Anonymizing your pics by either soliciting rid of or revising their EXIF information in Linux is simply the initially quantify in buying your digital judiciousness. Situate out how you can in addition separate EXIF tags from your images on Android.

Image credit: Zero Alterations by means of Unsplash. With one voice alterations and also screenshots by Ramces Red.