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RockyLover24
Participant
April 25, 2024
Question

Can I edit screenshots' "Raw Data" under Photoshop > File Info > Raw Data to preserve my privacy?

  • April 25, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 241 views

Hello, I made screenshots to be used in legal dispute and want to upload them to shared drive for lawyers. But I want to retain my anonymity as the original source. When I inspect the screenshots using Photoshop, I see that File Info contains Raw Data (xmpMM for ex.) that I cannot seem to edit. That info reveals platform OS, app version, etc. all of which could be revelatory. While I had to crop out the edge of one or two, I want to edit them as little as possible to retain their legal authenticity while preserving my anonymity. I cannot seem to remove that Raw Data. Any way to remove, or should I just not worry about it? I don't have the financial resources to hire a computer forensic specialist and want my whistle-blowing to remain anonymous. TIA!

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1 reply

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 25, 2024

EDIT:

 

When using Export As/Quick Export with no metadata, or Export > Save for Web (Legacy) with no metadata, most metadata is removed.

 

This can be verified with ExifTool:

 

https://exiftool.org/

 

Using a Terminal command such as:

 

exiftool -a -G1 -s -u 'path/to/my screenshot.png'

 

However, when a file that has metadata removed is inspected by Bridge or opened by Photoshop, it would appear that extra metadata is added/displayed.

 

ExifTool can remove extra metadata, with a Terminal command similar to the following for a file:

 

exiftool -all= -CommonIFD0= 'path/to/file/my screenshot.png'

 

Or for a folder:

 

exiftool -all= -CommonIFD0= 'path/to/my folder'

 

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