Don’t ever send an iPhone photo over text without doing the ‘meta trick’ 1st

TEXTING people photos snapped on your iPhone carries a big risk unless you have THESE settings changed.

That’s because your iPhone pictures contain hidden information that may share where you live, work and frequently visit.

Getty – ContributorPhotos sent over iMessage are a security risk[/caption]

It’s called metadata, and is stored within photos your send over iMessage – even those you send to strangers.

Here’s how to stop your iPhone from saving your location to your camera snaps so you can share them safely.

What is iPhone photo metadata?

Metadata is a hidden set of data that provides information about and describes files such as images, videos and documents.

When it comes to your iPhone photos, metadata is stored within the file about the time it was taken, the location of the shot and more.

It allows your mobile to sort your photos in chronological order, for instance, or by the places they were taken.

It also allows iOS to create video montages called “Memories” of your trips away, which are stored in the “For You” section of Photos.

The trouble is, that data remains stored on photos that you send over Apple services such as iMessage and AirDrop.

It means someone else can easily read your metadata if you send them your snaps.

That means they can hunt down where you live, work or visit frequently in just a few taps.

You can tell your iPhone not to store metadata on images and videos in your device settings.

Fortunately, your location and other metadata is wiped from images uploaded to social media – so anything posted to Facebook or Instagram is secure.

How to remove location data from a photo

Under every image in your Photos, you can view the approximate location it was taken by swiping up.

Your iPhone will also tell you the time and date it was taken, the device it was taken on, the size of the file and more.

You can also read this data by tapping on the information (i) button underneath your photo.

Here’s how to remove location data from an image:

Navigate to the photo of your choosing and swipe upTap “Adjust” at the bottom right hand corner of the mapTap “No location” to remove the location metadata

How to turn off location metadata

You can also ask your iPhone not to record location data when you’re taking photos.

1. Open the Settings app

2. Tap “Privacy” > “Location Services”.

3. Scroll down and tap “Camera”.

4. Select “Never”.

AlamyYour iPhone stores location and other data in your photos as hidden ‘metadata’[/caption]

In other news, Apple has announced that it will let customers fix their own iPhones for the first time starting next year.

The UK is fighting an epidemic of hack attacks targeting consumers and businesses, according to officials.

NASA has slammed Russia after a missile it fired into one of its own satellites forced the space station to perform an emergency swerve.

And, a 75-year-old Brit has told of his anger after scammers on WhatsApp fooled him into sending them hundreds of pounds.

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