Why this matters
The 'Author' field is auto-populated from your operating system account on Windows, and from your Adobe account in Acrobat — usually your real full name.
The 'Creator' field reveals your editing software and version, which can identify your employer (e.g., 'Adobe InDesign CC 2024.0 (Macintosh)') or your workflow.
The original file path (sometimes preserved in metadata) can include your Windows username — a common de-anonymization vector.
Anonymous peer review, anonymous job applications, and whistleblower submissions have all been de-anonymized by overlooked PDF author metadata.
What the scanner detects
- Author field (your name, often auto-populated from your OS account)
- Creator field (editing software + version)
- Producer field (PDF generation library)
- Original file path (may include your Windows username)
- Creation/modification timestamps revealing your timezone and work schedule
Ready to scan your PDF?
Drop your file into the scanner. Results in 5 seconds. Nothing leaves your browser.
Open the scannerHow it works
Click "Scan your PDF now" above. The scanner opens in your browser tab — no download, no install.
Drop in your PDF. The file is parsed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No upload, no server, no logs.
Review your 0–100 risk score, the list of findings, and the AI-generated redaction recommendations. Then take action.
Frequently asked questions
Can people see who created a PDF I send them?
Yes. By default, PDFs store the author name (often your real name from your OS or Adobe account), the creator software, and timestamps. Anyone can see this in Adobe Reader (File → Properties), Preview on Mac (Tools → Show Inspector), or any free PDF viewer. Strip these fields before sharing if you want anonymity.
How do I check what author info my PDF contains?
Drop your PDF into the scanner above. It reads the PDF info dictionary locally and shows you every metadata field — author, creator, producer, title, timestamps, and more. You can also check manually: Adobe Reader → File → Properties → Description tab.
How do I remove the author name from a PDF?
Use a browser-based metadata remover like PrivacyScanPDF (link above). It wipes the author, creator, producer, and all other identifying fields from the PDF's info dictionary locally — no upload required. The cleaned PDF downloads to your device.
Has PDF metadata ever de-anonymized someone?
Yes. Documented cases include anonymous peer reviewers being identified by their PDF author metadata, whistleblowers being identified by embedded software fingerprints, and legal filings revealing the original drafting attorney. There's an entire subfield of digital forensics dedicated to PDF metadata analysis.
Related privacy scans
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.
Is 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.
How 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.
Remove 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.
Your PDF never leaves your device
Every operation runs as JavaScript in your browser tab. No upload endpoint exists. Verify it yourself in DevTools (F12 → Network).