Why this matters
PDF metadata has been used in court to challenge document authenticity — creation timestamps that contradict stated execution dates have invalidated contracts.
The Author field in legal PDFs often contains the drafting attorney's name (auto-populated from their Word account), which can be visible to opposing counsel.
Under ABA Model Rule 1.6, uploading a client's contract to a third-party server (iLovePDF, Adobe Online) without their informed consent may constitute an unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
Tracked changes and comments in PDFs can survive 'Save As' and reveal internal strategy discussions to opposing counsel.
What the scanner detects
- Author field (drafting attorney's name, often auto-populated)
- Creator field (firm's Word/PDF software version)
- Creation/modification timestamps that can contradict execution dates
- Tracked changes and comments (in some PDF generators)
- Custom XMP metadata some legal software embeds
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 strip metadata from a legal contract PDF?
Drop the PDF into the scanner above. It reads the file locally, removes every field from the info dictionary (Author, Creator, Producer, Title, timestamps), strips the XMP XML block, and downloads the cleaned PDF. No upload, no server, no third-party disclosure.
Why is uploading legal PDFs to iLovePDF or Adobe Online a problem?
Under ABA Model Rule 1.6, attorneys must protect client confidential information. Uploading a contract to a third-party server without the client's informed consent may constitute an unauthorized disclosure. Server-based tools also rarely have a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) in place, which is required for HIPAA-regulated legal work.
Has PDF metadata ever affected a legal case?
Yes. PDF creation timestamps have been used to challenge contract execution dates. Author metadata has revealed the true drafter of a 'neutral' document. Tracked changes in PDFs have exposed internal strategy. Digital forensics experts routinely analyze PDF metadata in e-discovery.
Is browser-based stripping defensible under attorney-client privilege?
Yes — and arguably more defensible than server-based tools. Browser-based processing means no third party ever receives the document. There's no vendor relationship, no BAA negotiation, no audit obligation. The metadata is stripped locally and the document never leaves the attorney's control.
Related privacy scans
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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).