Wirebook › Glossary › Metadata
What is metadata?
In one sentence: Information about a file rather than its contents, such as when a photo was taken, on what phone, and sometimes where.
A little more
Metadata is information about a file rather than the thing inside it. A photo's pixels are the picture; its metadata says when it was taken, on which phone, and sometimes where. A document can carry its author's name and editing time; a song file carries the artist and album.
It mostly travels quietly inside the file, so it goes wherever the file goes. Many apps strip some of it when you post, but sending an original by email, chat attachment or a shared drive usually keeps it, so it is worth checking before you share something private.
See it in action
- 9How does a map know where you are?Find a hidden phone using nothing but satellite clocks: listen to each satellite, draw its ring and watch the rings meet.7 min · interactive
- BonusI changed who can open my link. Does the old link still work?Check a picture and its audience before you share it, then be the guard at the door: pretend visitors with badges and forwarded links, a fresh check on every visit, badges taken away, a link replaced, and a saved copy that no website can snatch back.7 min · interactive
Do it for real
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