Why this matters
A contract PDF containing a photographed signature can leak the GPS location of where it was signed, the camera used, and the timestamp — all from EXIF data on the embedded image.
Scanned PDFs from office multi-function printers often carry EXIF identifying the specific printer (serial number, department) — useful for forensics but a privacy leak if shared externally.
Screenshots pasted into PDFs can carry macOS or Windows metadata identifying your OS version and capture timestamp.
Most PDF metadata tools only check the info dictionary — they miss EXIF on embedded images entirely.
What the scanner detects
- EXIF GPS coordinates on embedded JPEG images
- Camera make and model (and serial number on some cameras)
- Original capture timestamp (which can differ from PDF creation date)
- Editing software fingerprints in the EXIF (Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.)
- The presence of embedded images themselves (which other scanners often miss)
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 check if my PDF has EXIF data on its images?
Drop your PDF into the scanner above. It parses the PDF and identifies all embedded images, then checks each for EXIF metadata. You'll see a report of which images carry EXIF and what they reveal (GPS, camera, timestamps).
How do I remove EXIF data from images inside a PDF?
Two options: (1) Remove the embedded images entirely (use PrivacyScanPDF's redact tool to black them out), or (2) Re-export the PDF from the source application with EXIF-stripped images. Most PDF editors can't strip EXIF from embedded images directly — it requires regenerating the image streams.
What EXIF data is most dangerous in a PDF?
GPS coordinates (reveals where a photo was taken — could be someone's home), camera serial number (unique identifier that can be cross-referenced with other photos you've taken), and original capture timestamps (can contradict document execution dates).
Do all PDFs with embedded images have EXIF?
No. Many PDF generators strip EXIF when embedding images. But some don't — particularly scanned PDFs, photographed signatures, and PDFs generated from screenshot tools. The only way to know is to scan the PDF.
Related privacy scans
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.
How 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.
Strip 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.
Erase 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.
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).