Files can carry more information than the content you immediately see. This guide explains the practical details so you can choose what to keep, remove or verify before sharing.
A flexible metadata framework
XMP, or Extensible Metadata Platform, is a structured way to store descriptive information. It can represent creator data, rights information, editing history, labels and many other properties depending on the file and application.
EXIF and XMP are not identical
EXIF is strongly associated with camera and capture information. XMP is more extensible and is widely used in creative software and document workflows. A file can contain both.
Why cleaners mention XMP
Removing only one metadata family may leave another intact. For privacy-oriented sharing, it is useful to understand that metadata can exist in multiple structures.
Do not delete useful data blindly
Professional photographers, designers and publishers may intentionally use XMP for rights or workflow information. Preserve a master copy before creating a stripped public version.
Use the relevant BeOutMeta tool on a copy of your file, then review the result before publishing or sending it.
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