Does scrubbing remove EXIF from images?
Short answer
Not guaranteed. EXIF may remain in embedded images, so high-risk cases should treat image metadata as potentially present.
Last reviewed: 2026-02-20
metadata
exif
images
Not guaranteed. EXIF may remain in embedded images, so high-risk cases should treat image metadata as potentially present.
Why this matters
Image metadata can include timestamps, device model details, and other clues that may increase linkability.
Safe default steps
- Watch for EXIF warnings in the scrub report.
- Prefer documents that do not depend on embedded photos when possible.
- If risk is serious, get legal or professional guidance before sharing.
- Keep your workflow simple so review steps are not skipped.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all metadata types are handled identically.
- Trusting a single pass without review.
- Sharing camera-origin files directly.
Limits
The scrubber prioritizes preserving selectable text and core document structure. Full rasterization or advanced image cleaning is a future mode.
Related
Next safe step: scrub a PDF locally and review threat model limits.