Location data on photos taken with your phone

[davewright]

There was an article in this months Classic Land Rover about the problem of criminals using the location data in photos of our cars that have been taken using phones and then posted on-line. The article suggested that this may invalidate your insurance but did not explain how or why. Anyway, I thought you might be interested in a free app that I use called Metadata Cut. This strips all the location data from the pictures which then makes them safe to post on-line.

[tonys]

The wonders of technology

My phone doesn't take photos (I use a new thing called a camera), nor does it link to the internet thingy (but it does make/receive phone calls ) but I do have a 'tablet' and there's an option to disable the 'location' setting. Can that not be done with the phones?

In all seriousness, the amount of information people can obtain 'off t'internet' is an issue.

[davewright]

The location setting can be switched off on phones but people need to beware that the camera app can have a setting to switch it back on while it takes photos.

[Warwick]

I leave my "Location Services" function switched off unless I specifically need it. Must check to see if it turns on automatically when taking a photo. But I rarely use the phone camera; I use my camera. I do find it annoying and inconvenient however. I just wish the camera manufacturers would get their act together and offer a camera with a phone in it.

I do get annoyed when almost any time I use the phone for something other than making a call, a message pops up (which I have to acknowledge and cancel) saying "Location Service is turned off". I KNOW!! It's my phone! I was the one who turned it off! At least with the computer you usually have the option with similar messages to select "Don't tell me again".

[davewright]

Probably the closest you will get to a camera with a phone built in is by using a wireless SD card in the camera. This will allow you to transfer the photos off the camera without having to find the cable.

[Colin McA]

Interesting about the location services.

I have mine off all of the time.

Recently I was told that even when off the security services can still get the hidden location info from within.

Many years ago I had a phone which allowed you to select a location.

Seems like there is always someone out there trying it on, though most folk will know where nice classics like ours live I cant see picture info being much of a threat.

There is however many home policies that wont cover if you post your holiday plans on social media.

Colin

[Warwick]

Dec 16, 2015 8:23:04 GMT davewright said:

Probably the closest you will get to a camera with a phone built in is by using a wireless SD card in the camera. This will allow you to transfer the photos off the camera without having to find the cable.

Lost the cable long ago Dave. I remove the card and plug it into the laptop each time. No, what I'd really like to do is walk down the street, oblivious to everyone else, having a loud conversation with a bulky Nikon.