What is metadata, and its role in fact-finding

Checking photo metadata is essential in fact-finding to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and context of visual information.

Metadata for pictures lurks behind most electronic photographs. (Illustration: Pixabay)

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Metadata plays an important role in fact-checking. Usually described as ‘data about other data’, it provides essential information such as the origin, context, and the history of a piece of text or image. There are various types of metadata that can be associated with digital assets. These include, text metadata, photo metadata, audio metadata, video metadata, geospatial metadata, time metadata, file system metadata, social media metadata and web metadata.

In today’s column, we explain what photo metadata is, how it is used, and how it can help in fact-checking.

Photo metadata

Photo metadata is the information and specific details concerning a particular image file. This information often includes the date on which the image was taken, author, file name, content, phone or the camera used to take the picture, and sometimes even the location. It is known as EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) data.

Can the photo metadata be removed or edited?

Yes. It is very easy to edit or remove the metadata from a picture. If you want to post a picture without the metadata on a social media platform all you have to do is post a screenshot of the picture.

Checking photo metadata is essential in fact-finding to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and context of visual information. It is a critical step in the process of verifying and validating photographic evidence in a world where digital manipulation and misinformation are prevalent.

For example: The following picture was shot on an iPhone 13

Photo taken on an iPhone 13

Here’s how you can find metadata of this picture:

There are several online EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) data or metadata viewers available online; we decided to try one, ‘jimpl.com’. Uploading the picture in Jimpl gave the metadata of the picture, including the location.

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You can remove metadata from an image using a tool like jimpl

There are several other metadata viewers available online. All you have to do is type, ‘exif viewer online’ or ‘metadata viewer online’, this would pull up some free metadata viewers.

A popular example of tracking Exif data is two photos of former US president Donald Trump during the Covid pandemic. Two images released by the White House in October 2020 showed Trump signing papers in the Walter Reed Hospital. There was a lot of controversy around these two images on whether or not the hospitalized president was actually getting the work done or if he and his staff had staged a fake photoshoot. After experts studied the Exif data on these pictures, it was found that both these pictures were taken just 10 minutes apart, with Trump sitting in two different locations and in two completely different outfits.

Screenshot taken from article by Patrick Hall for https://fstoppers.com/

The photos released by the WH tonight of the president working at Walter Reed were taken 10 minutes apart at 5:25:59 pm and 5:35:40 pm ET Saturday, according to the EXIF data embedded in both @AP wire postings that were shared by the White House this evening. pic.twitter.com/EzeqIkGdf7

— Jon Ostrower (@jonostrower) October 4, 2020

Metadata for pictures lurks behind most electronic photographs. It has proved helpful in uncovering the truth in many cases and hence makes up for an important step in online verification of pictures.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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