Why this matters
Studies of peer review have found that 15-30% of 'anonymized' submissions still contain identifying metadata in the PDF file itself.
The Author field is auto-populated from your Adobe or Microsoft account — usually your real name. Editors using Adobe Reader can see it in 2 clicks.
The Creator field can reveal your institution (e.g., 'University of X LaTeX template') or your co-authors' software fingerprints.
Journal editors have been known to reject anonymized submissions that leak metadata, costing you weeks in the review cycle.
What the scanner detects
- Author field (your name, auto-populated from your OS account)
- Creator field (your LaTeX/Word/Pages software + version)
- Original file path (may include your institution's name or your username)
- Custom XMP metadata blocks some academic tools add
- Institution names or co-author names that appear in the visible text
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
How do I remove the author name from a PDF for double-blind review?
Drop your PDF into the scanner above. It strips the Author field, Creator, Producer, Title, Subject, Keywords, CreationDate, and ModDate from the PDF info dictionary — plus the XMP XML metadata block. The cleaned PDF downloads to your device with all identifying metadata gone.
What metadata can de-anonymize an academic PDF?
The Author field (usually your real name), Creator field (your LaTeX distribution or Word version), original file path (sometimes includes your username or institution), creation timestamp (reveals your timezone), and XMP metadata. Some academic PDF generators also embed custom metadata identifying the template or institution.
Will journals reject my paper if metadata isn't stripped?
Many will. Most double-blind journals explicitly require metadata removal in their submission guidelines. Even if not rejected, an editor noticing identifying metadata may delay your review while they ask you to re-submit a cleaned version. Better to strip it before submission.
Is it safe to upload my paper to an online metadata remover?
Risky. Most online removers upload your full paper to their server, including any text you've already anonymized. If the paper contains unpublished research, you've just disclosed it to a third party. Browser-based tools like PrivacyScanPDF process locally — no upload, no disclosure.
Related privacy scans
Remove 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.
Strip 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.
Remove 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.
Clean 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.
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).