Why this matters
Office multi-function printers (Xerox, HP, Canon) often embed their serial number in scanned PDF metadata — useful for asset tracking but a privacy leak in shared documents.
Photos embedded in PDFs (signatures, location shots, evidence) can carry GPS coordinates precise to within a few meters.
Camera serial numbers are unique identifiers that can be cross-referenced with other photos you've published online.
Law enforcement, journalists, and forensic analysts routinely check PDFs for this kind of metadata.
What the scanner detects
- EXIF GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude, sometimes altitude)
- Camera/device make, model, and serial number
- Scanner device identifiers (manufacturer, model, serial)
- Original capture timestamps
- Software fingerprints from the scanning or photo editing toolchain
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 serial numbers and GPS from a PDF?
Drop your PDF into the scanner above to see what device serial numbers and GPS coordinates it carries. To remove them: use PrivacyScanPDF's redact tool to remove the embedded images entirely, or re-scan/re-export the source content with EXIF stripping enabled in your scanner settings.
What PDFs typically contain serial numbers?
Scanned PDFs from office multi-function printers (Xerox, HP, Canon, Brother) often embed the scanner's serial number in EXIF or XMP metadata. PDFs containing photographed content (signatures, evidence, location shots) often carry the camera's serial number.
How accurate is PDF GPS data?
Very. Modern phone cameras record GPS coordinates accurate to within 5–10 meters. If a photo with GPS is embedded in a PDF, the location where the photo was taken is exposed. This has been used to de-anonymize whistleblower submissions and to verify the location of photographed evidence.
Can I check a PDF for GPS without uploading it?
Yes. PrivacyScanPDF's scanner runs entirely in your browser. It parses the PDF locally, identifies embedded images, and reads their EXIF metadata — including GPS coordinates and device serial numbers — without ever uploading your file.
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.
Remove 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.
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).