Privacy Policy

Overview

Remove Metadata Online is a privacy-first service for checking and cleaning hidden metadata from files. We try to collect as little personal data as possible and keep uploaded files only for the short time needed to process them.

File Processing and Temporary Storage

When you upload a file or submit a remote file URL:

• Files are processed by internal tools such as ExifTool, Sharp, FFmpeg, qpdf, or similar local engines when available.
• Some lightweight checks may happen in your browser when the selected tool supports browser processing.
• Uploaded and processed files are stored outside the public web directory with random server filenames.
• Temporary files and private download links expire automatically after about 5 minutes.
• Users may also delete their temporary processed file manually when the result screen provides that option.
• We do not permanently store your file content.
• Original filenames are minimized or sanitized and are not used as server storage paths.

Data We Collect

We keep limited operational data to run the service safely:

• Processing information: file category, approximate file size, selected tool, processing status, engine result, and timing. We avoid storing full private filenames or file content in logs.
• Rate limiting and abuse protection: IP addresses may be hashed or temporarily evaluated to prevent spam, brute force attempts, excessive uploads, and suspicious traffic.
• Admin security: admin login sessions, security events, and configuration changes may be recorded for protection and troubleshooting.
• Contact messages: if you contact us, we receive the information you choose to send.

Cookies, Analytics, and Google Advertising

The site may use cookies and similar technologies for basic site operation, analytics, security, and advertising when those features are enabled.

• Admin and security cookies may be used to keep authorized sessions safe.
• Google Analytics may collect standard website analytics if enabled by the administrator.
• Google AdSense may use Google advertising cookies, including cookies used to serve ads, limit repeated ads, measure ad performance, and support personalized or non-personalized advertising where allowed.
• Google and its partners may use cookies or device identifiers to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites when personalized ads are enabled and consent rules allow it.
• You can manage Google ad personalization at Google Ads Settings.

External API Fallback

External API fallback is disabled by default. If the site administrator enables it, a file may be sent to a configured third-party provider only when internal processing cannot complete the selected task and the tool allows fallback. API keys are stored server-side and are never exposed in the browser. When external providers are enabled, their own privacy terms may also apply.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, including the EEA, UK, Switzerland, California, and other regions with privacy laws, you may have rights to:

• Request access to personal data we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct or delete personal data when legally required.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Withdraw consent for optional cookies or advertising features where consent is required.
• Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information where California privacy law applies. We do not sell uploaded file content.

Third-Party Services

Depending on configuration, we may use:

• Google AdSense for ads, subject to Google policies and consent requirements.
• Google Analytics for website measurement if enabled.
• Cloudflare or similar infrastructure services for security, caching, and DDoS protection.
• Optional external API providers for file processing fallback if enabled by the administrator.

Contact

If you have questions or want to exercise privacy rights, please contact us.