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By default, most digital cameras, including those in phones, embed metadata into digital photo files. This information is called tagging. The metadata includes Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) data, which includes the date and time the photo was taken. Often this metadata is useful, but could introduce privacy and security concerns.

When enabled, such as is common in phones, the location of the photo (geolocation) is included in this metadata information. Personal information might be included, depending upon how the device is configured.

For example, geolocation information might not seem intrusive with vacation photos. The geolocation metadata for photos taken inside a home reveals the home’s location, which could be useful to thieves and stalkers.

Some photo-sharing web sites are designed to display this metadata. Even when such web sites do not display the metadata, because the metadata is embedded in the photo file, when photos are posted online or shared through email this metadata is easily scraped or viewed and can be used to accumulate data in the never ending pursuit of user tracking and data mining.

Most if not all digital cameras can be configured to not store some of this information. Further, there are many photo editing tools that can add or delete this metadata before posting online or sharing.

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Backwoods Geek

Backwoods Geek wrote his first computer program in 1977. He started using desktop computers in 1982 to write training and job aids. These days his home includes routers, switches, computers, a home theater PC, a laptop, and bluetooth phones. His professional career includes instrumentation and controls, computers, industrial training, technical writing, and teaching computer classes. Pastimes include sitting on the front porch, observing wildlife, cutting firewood, reading, watching movies, and tinkering with computers. He is uncomfortable around morning people until afternoon, likes dry and off-the-wall humor, and usually tells jokes with a straight face. He is a believer in the old adage that, "No matter where you go, there you are."

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