Most modern smartphones embed hidden data called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) into every photo you take. This includes technical details like shutter speed and ISO, but more alarmingly, it often includes GPS coordinates.
The Privacy Risk
If you take a photo of an item to sell online at your house, the GPS coordinates in that file can lead a stranger directly to your doorstep. Social media platforms usually strip this data, but sharing files via email, Slack, or niche forums often preserves it.
How to Protect Yourself
- Check your camera app settings to disable location tagging.
- Use a metadata scrubber tool like DataDiet before sharing sensitive images.
- Be aware that 'cloud' backup services often analyze this data for ad targeting.