Read the metadata
Cameras and phones write a lot into the file: GPS coordinates, the device, the software that edited it, and several timestamps.
ot run osintverse-community/exif-meta --url "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ianare/exif-samples/master/jpg/gps/DSCN0010.jpg"The result has a location entity when GPS is present (with an OpenStreetMap link), the device, the authors and the
dates. The full ExifTool output is in metadata.
What to check
| Field | Why |
|---|---|
| GPS latitude and longitude | The capture position, if the phone had location on. Check it against the content of the picture; it can be edited. |
DateTimeOriginal vs ModifyDate |
When it was taken vs last saved. A large gap means it was edited or re-exported. |
Software, CreatorTool |
Editing software (Photoshop, Snapseed) or a messaging app that re-encoded it |
Make, Model, SerialNumber |
The device; the same serial on two images means the same camera |
Artist, Copyright, Creator |
Authors, often a photographer or agency |
Note
Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp and most other platforms strip metadata on upload. Look for originals: the
photographer's website, cloud shares, forum attachments, documents. gallery-dl can fetch the original files of many
gallery and social sites:
ot run osintverse-community/gallery-dl --url "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tour_Eiffel_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg"
Next: find earlier copies.