Posting Images and Metadata Risk

[brianf.]

I'm no technology expert but I'm reading that the GPS location of where you caught a big fish - and then shared it on line - can be obtained thru the metedata in the photo, even when the location is 'hidden' by the person posting the photo. Apparently, there are apps that can 'data mine' even the hidden metadata. I'm also reading that there are apps available that can pinpoint the location where a photo was taken even without the metadata being available.

Is all this true? Are there folks out there mining metadata from images of photos that fellow anglers are sharing on line?? If so, I'm done sharing images on line!

[Rider99XX]

I never post pictures online but my wife will post them to bookface sometimes but if they want to dig into where I catch the dinks I catch then I hope they do They will be in for a rude awakening

[Highcentered]

At least the people mining for data probably don't fish. Guess they could sell waypoints but good luck with that.

[Javelin389]

Many digital cameras will capture data, referred to as Exif data. Camera make, model, serial, date, time, and GPS location to name a few. It's been reported that FB scrubs it out. It can also get removed if the pic is edited/saved in an application to. Really don't see much value in data mining it though. But who knows.

[PsuHntr]

I know if you post a picture to Facebook it automatically wipes the metadata...if you send it to a friend....well

[skeeterator]

It's amazing what you can learn from someone's fish pics by using the mouse and placing the cursor on it and then doing a right click.

[Rider99XX]

It's amazing what you can learn from someone's fish pics by using the mouse and placing the cursor on it and then doing a right click.

SHHHHHHHHH, you just opened up a can of worms

[west_tn]

The horror! Gonna pull up on my spot this weekend and there's gonna be nerds all over it.

[Rider99XX]

[davidsa]

I'd be more concerned about identity theft then fish location theft. Pictures/locations, comments, signatures, etc expose alot of information when combined with other sources could lead to a identity issue.

[Javelin389]

The horror! Gonna pull up on my spot this weekend and there's gonna be nerds all over it.

[cwilt]

Easy fix...take a screen shot of your fish while in the local IHOP or Dennys bathroom and post that Pic.

[BigFishSteve]

Of course they can. Also, every question you ever answer on line, including here is in your 'folder'. House, car, income, boat, job, kids, toys, gear, food preferences, vacation, medical etc.

[ECobb91]

Of course they can. Also, every question you ever answer on line, including here is in your 'folder'. House, car, income, boat, job, kids, toys, gear, food preferences, vacation, medical etc.

exactly. People act like this is some revolutionary concept when it’s been going on since the dawn of the internet.

dont want your data mined then don’t use any device that connects to gps or the internet, ever. Throw out your smart phone, smart tv, iPads, computers, etc.

have fun, just google yourself and see what happens.

i just did it for myself. The first link was for MLF site for the whopping 5 BFLs I fished.. 2nd website had my full name, age, birthdate, address, cell phone number personal email address, home address with estimated value and equity, my previous address, home phone when I was a child, names of my immediate family,

but yes, geo data on a fish picture is of utmost concern

[bdog7198]

if you are bothered that someone wants your "secret hole" just turn off location data in your camera settings.

[hatcreek]

Easy fix...take a screen shot of your fish while in the local IHOP or Dennys bathroom and post that Pic.

That... or you can create a copy of the photo with all the metadata removed for public consumption.

[Ksuchris2000]

even without the exif data or metadata, AI is getting incredibly accurate at looking at photographs/scenes and being able to pinpoint where exactly on earth that spot is.

[davidsa]

exactly. People act like this is some revolutionary concept when it’s been going on since the dawn of the internet.

dont want your data mined then don’t use any device that connects to gps or the internet, ever. Throw out your smart phone, smart tv, iPads, computers, etc.

have fun, just google yourself and see what happens.

i just did it for myself. The first link was for MLF site for the whopping 5 BFLs I fished.. 2nd website had my full name, age, birthdate, address, cell phone number personal email address, home address with estimated value and equity, my previous address, home phone when I was a child, names of my immediate family,

but yes, geo data on a fish picture is of utmost concern

exactly, and post more, post more pictures and say things we should not put online and see how much better that google search gets. Every day my antivirus software tells my personal info is for sale by 10 brokers. I'm not actually worried about brokers, the real criminals already have the data and are in motion.

[slipknobber bot]

if you are bothered that someone wants your "secret hole" just turn off location data in your camera settings.

Agree, can also turn phone to airplane mode while taking pics. But the safest way as mentioned before is just screenshot your pics and post those if you're really worried.

[stein3411]

Or sell a boat with all your electronics and waypoints. Delete all your waypoints and think you are safe. The new buyer is a tech kid; he now has all your waypoints.