How Photo Metadata Exposes Your Location

A Vancouver woman uploads a photo of the harbour at night. The post looks ordinary, but inside the image are invisible details that show exactly where and when it was taken. Those hidden clues are called metadata, and they travel automatically with most photos.

This data seems harmless until it is used to trace someone’s movements. In the wrong hands, that photo could reveal home addresses, workplaces, or daily routes without the person ever realising it.

What Hidden Photo Data Reveals About You

Every photo stores information known as EXIF metadata. It records GPS coordinates, device model, and the time the picture was captured. Many phones and cameras include this by default.

Anyone using free software can read those details and pinpoint a location. Even when an image is cropped or filtered, the metadata often stays intact.

How Photo Metadata Exposes Your Location

In Canada, several harassment cases have shown how online posts can unintentionally reveal where people live or work. The danger comes when location data is combined with other online habits, such as real-time posting or visible surroundings.

Canadian law does not name “cyberstalking” as a separate crime, but persistent online tracking that causes someone to fear for their safety can be investigated under criminal harassment laws. It is one reason privacy experts urge people to review what information their devices attach to images.

Why Women in Vancouver Are More at Risk

Research from the Canadian Women’s Foundation shows women and gender-diverse people experience higher rates of digital stalking and harassment. For them, small details like GPS tags can become serious safety risks.

In Vancouver, police and support agencies have received reports of people being followed both online and in person after sharing posts that revealed location clues. Awareness is the first step toward prevention.

Can Social Media Platforms Keep You Safe

Some platforms remove certain metadata when displaying images publicly, but the original file often remains stored with its full data. That means location details can still exist behind the scenes.

Relying on platforms for safety is not enough. The safest approach is to turn off location tagging before taking or sharing photos.

How To Remove Location Data From Your Photos

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then Privacy and Security, Location Services, Camera, and choose Never. You can also remove location when sharing through the Photos app.

On Android, open a photo, swipe up to check its location, and turn off Camera access under Settings, Location. On computers, right-click a photo, open Properties, Details, and remove personal information. Free tools such as ImageOptim and ExifTool can also wipe data.

If You Think Someone Is Tracking You

Keep screenshots, messages, and timestamps that show unwanted contact or patterns. If you believe you are being tracked or harassed, report it to police or the RCMP cybercrime unit.

VictimLink BC provides free confidential help 24 hours a day at 1-800-563-0808. Tracking or intimidation that causes fear may fall under the Criminal Code’s criminal harassment section.

Take Back Control of What You Share

You do not have to stop posting photos. The goal is to understand what they contain before sharing. Turning off location settings or uploading screenshots instead of originals can make a big difference.

Knowing how photo metadata exposes your location gives you the power to protect your privacy. Awareness turns every photo from a risk into a choice.