Not sure which scan you need?
The general PDF Privacy Scanner covers all 50+ PII patterns, metadata leaks, and embedded scripts. Start here if you're not sure.
Run the full PDF Privacy ScannerPrivacy & Risk Anxiety
5High-intent queries from users actively worried about PDF privacy. Each scan targets a specific fear or use case.
How to Check a PDF for Hidden Information and Metadata
Drop your PDF and instantly see every piece of hidden data it carries — author name, original file path, editing software, creation timestamps, embedded JavaScript, file attachments, and 50+ categories of personally identifiable information. The scan runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Open scanIs It Safe to Upload a PDF to Remove Metadata?
No — uploading a PDF to remove its metadata is a paradox. The moment the file hits their server, the metadata you wanted to remove has already been disclosed to that third party. The safe way is browser-based: the PDF stays on your device, the metadata is stripped locally, and no copy ever exists on someone else's hardware.
Open scanHow to Wipe Properties From a PDF Securely
Drop your PDF and the tool wipes every property in the PDF info dictionary — author, creator, producer, title, subject, keywords, creation date, modification date — replacing them with empty strings. The wipe is permanent: the original metadata is removed from the file's bytes, not just hidden. Output downloads to your device; nothing is uploaded.
Open scanCan Someone See Who Created a PDF File?
Yes — by default, PDFs store the author name (often your real name from your Adobe or Microsoft account), the creator software (e.g., 'Microsoft Word for Office 365'), and the original file path (which can include your Windows username). Anyone with a free PDF reader can see this. Drop your PDF above to see exactly what it leaks.
Open scanRemove Sensitive Hidden Properties From a PDF Online
PDFs hide a surprising amount of identifying information in their properties: author name, editing software, creation timestamps, original file paths, custom XMP metadata. This tool removes all of it — locally in your browser, with no upload to any server. Drop your PDF, get a cleaned version in seconds.
Open scanRole & Industry Specific
5For professionals who handle sensitive documents daily: lawyers, academics, HR, real estate, corporate.
Remove Author Name From an Academic PDF (Double-Blind Review)
Double-blind peer review requires that your PDF contain no identifying information — not just in the visible text, but in the file's metadata. The Author field, Creator software, file path, and timestamps can all de-anonymize you. This tool strips every identifying field locally in your browser, so your submission is truly anonymous.
Open scanRemove Creator Metadata From a Double-Blind Review PDF
The PDF Creator field is auto-populated by whatever software generated your PDF — LaTeX, Word, Pages, Google Docs. This seemingly innocent field can reveal your institution's LaTeX template, your version of Word (identifying your employer's Office license), or your specific workflow. Strip it before double-blind submission.
Open scanStrip Metadata From Legal Contract PDFs
Legal PDFs routinely leak identifying metadata: the drafting attorney's name (Author field), the firm's Word version (Creator field), editing timestamps that can contradict a contract's stated execution date, and tracked-change history in some cases. Strip all of it locally before emailing — no upload to a third-party server means no breach of attorney-client privilege.
Open scanRemove Editing History From a Corporate PDF Before Emailing
When you export a corporate document to PDF, the file silently carries your editing history: the author's name (often their email from the corporate Office account), the editing software and version, creation and modification timestamps, and sometimes the original file path including the corporate network share name. Strip all of it before the PDF leaves your network.
Open scanClean Personal Data From a PDF Resume (Anonymous Job Application)
Anonymous job applications require removing more than just visible name and contact info. Your PDF resume's metadata can reveal your real name (Author field), your email (often auto-populated), your editing software, and your timezone. This tool strips all of it — locally in your browser, no upload — so your resume is truly anonymous.
Open scanTechnical & OS Specific
5Device and platform-specific scans: Mac, Windows 11, EXIF, GPS, InDesign metadata.
How to Remove Metadata From a PDF on Mac (Without Acrobat)
Mac users don't need Adobe Acrobat to strip PDF metadata. This tool runs in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on macOS 12 Monterey and later — no install, no signup, no Acrobat subscription. Drop your PDF, the metadata is removed locally, download the cleaned file. Your PDF never leaves your Mac.
Open scanHow to Clear Title and Author Properties From a PDF on Windows 11
On Windows 11, you don't need Adobe Acrobat or any install to clear PDF Title and Author properties. Open this tool in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, drop your PDF, and every property is stripped locally. The cleaned PDF downloads to your Downloads folder. No upload, no signup, no software to install.
Open scanRemove EXIF Data From Images Inside a PDF
PDFs often contain embedded images (photos, screenshots, scanned pages) — and those images can carry EXIF metadata: GPS coordinates showing where the photo was taken, camera make and serial number, original timestamps, and editing software. This tool scans your PDF for embedded images and reports what EXIF they carry, so you know what's leaking.
Open scanStrip Serial Numbers and GPS Coordinates From a PDF
PDFs generated by multi-function printers, scanned documents, and photographed content can carry embedded device serial numbers and GPS coordinates in the EXIF metadata of their images. This is a serious privacy leak — a single PDF can identify the exact device that scanned it and the location where a photograph was taken. Scan your PDF to see what it leaks.
Open scanErase Adobe InDesign Metadata From a PDF
InDesign exports PDFs with extensive metadata: the designer's name (from their Adobe account), InDesign version, template info, font lists, plug-in signatures, and creation timestamps. This metadata can identify the designer, their employer, and their toolchain. Strip it locally in your browser before sharing InDesign-exported PDFs externally.
Open scanProblem Phrasing
5Alternative ways users describe the same problem: electronic footprints, tracking details, background data.
How to Delete the Electronic Footprint From a PDF
Every PDF carries an electronic footprint: who made it, what software they used, when, and sometimes where. This footprint persists across saves, copies, and email forwards. To delete it, you need to strip the PDF's info dictionary and XMP metadata block — not just the visible content. This tool does that locally in your browser.
Open scanScrub Tracking Details Out of a PDF File (Free)
PDFs can carry various tracking details: embedded JavaScript that fires on file open, web beacons that ping a server when the PDF is viewed, identifying metadata in the info dictionary, and XMP identifiers that some document-tracking services use. This tool scans for all of them locally and shows you what's tracking you.
Open scanRemove Hidden Identifying Background Data From a PDF
PDFs have multiple layers of 'background' data that don't show on screen but can identify you: the XMP XML metadata block, embedded JavaScript, file attachments, annotations, and custom enterprise metadata. This tool scans all of them locally and shows you what's hiding in your PDF.
Open scanHow to Unattach the Original Owner Name From a PDF
When you create a PDF, your editing software auto-attaches your name as the 'Author' in the file's metadata. This attachment persists through saves, copies, and forwards — the original owner stays attached. To unattach it, you need to strip the Author field (and ideally the full info dictionary) from the PDF's bytes. This tool does that locally.
Open scanSanitize a PDF Before Uploading to a Public Server
Before uploading a PDF to a public server (court filing system, grant portal, government website, public records repository), you should sanitize it: remove all metadata, embedded JavaScript, file attachments, and any PII in the visible text. This tool scans your PDF locally and shows you exactly what needs to be sanitized before upload.
Open scan