What is EXIF Data? A Deep Dive into Digital Fingerprints

The Definition

EXIF stands for Exchangeable Image File Format. It was established in the 90s by the Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association (JEIDA). It effectively turns every digital photo into a database containing details about the capture conditions.

The Data Points

A single JPG file can contain over 200 metadata tags. The most critical include:

• Make/Model: e.g., "iPhone 15 Pro" or "Canon EOS R5".
• Lens Info: Focal length, aperture, and shutter speed.
• GPS Latitude/Longitude: Precise to within a few meters.
• Software: e.g., "Adobe Photoshop 25.0" (indicating the image was edited).

The OSINT Threat

OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) investigators use EXIF data to verify locations and timelines. While this is good for journalism, it is bad for personal privacy. Cyberstalkers use the same tools to track individuals based on photos posted to blogs or forums that do not strip metadata.

Best Practices

Treat metadata like your browser history. It tells a story about you. Regular cleaning using a tool like ExifX is good digital hygiene.