Ex-Detective Shows Why It's Much Safer To Send Only Screenshots Of Photos To Strangers On The Internet

One photo can reveal more than most people realize, and that is exactly why this story is getting attention. A simple image sent to someone online may carry hidden details, including location data that can be pulled from the file itself.

In this case, TikTok users are talking about how image metadata can be used in everyday life, from parents checking where a child really is to strangers seeing more than they should. The twist is that the same feature that can help keep someone safe can also create a privacy risk.

That is where the screenshot trick comes in, and the warning gets a lot darker from there. Read on.

Your phone actually saves a bunch of data in just one snap.

Technical details such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO number, focal depth, DPI, and more, as well as your creator data, image keywords, captions, titles, and comments, can actually be stored in a single photo with just a click.

Marco Verch Professional Photographer

A woman named Chari Pack from Persnickety Box showcased this information on TikTok, pointing out that photos contain image metadata. She highlights that this can be used by parents to track their kids.

@persnicketybox

GPS coordinates can be stored in your image, enabling anyone who has access to the photo to know when and where it was taken. This is possible for images captured with smartphones and digital cameras.

@persnicketybox

Pack shows that she received a text from her son asking if he could stay a bit longer to play basketball with his friends. He then sent a photo of himself as proof.

@persnicketybox

She then demonstrates how anyone can check if their child is actually telling the truth—using the information embedded in the photo they send.

@persnicketybox

This is truly a great way for parents to ensure that their kids are safe and exactly where they said they would be.

@persnicketybox That convenience comes with a catch.

This may be a faulty feature at times, but it is extremely useful. Take a look at the comments left by people:

It's also important to remember to trust your kids and not suffocate them by surveilling their every move.

You can make some adjustments, and you may even reach an agreement with your child to do this for safety reasons.

Indeed!

However, someone pointed out that while this could be useful for parents, this information could also be misused if the photos fall into the hands of a stranger.

For more “photos tell everything” energy, check 100 historical moments captured in raw images.

If you want to be better safe than sorry, you can also turn off this feature, as this mom did.

Let's just hope these kids are responsible enough!

On the other hand, an ex-detective under the username @purepower34 on TikTok, who once dealt with crimes against children, revealed the darker side of how this information can be exploited by malicious individuals.

@purepower34

He emphasizes that knowing your child's whereabouts is truly beneficial, but he also sheds light on how this can potentially lead to criminal activity.

purepower34

The same information that you use to track your child's location can also be a valuable tool for stalkers, traffickers, and other criminals lurking.

@purepower34

One way to avoid this is to take screenshots of your photos instead. Here's the full video for his explanation:

The warning really lands here.

People were grateful for the warning:

In this cruel world, it is essential that we learn to use technology to our advantage.

One way to prevent this from happening is to turn off location services for your camera app and, instead, communicate truthfully with your loved ones about your whereabouts.

Check your settings.

Criminals are becoming increasingly creative in their methods, and they could be using technology to aid their sinister plans.

It's better to check!

It certainly has its downsides, but at least people are becoming more aware!

You can either screenshot your photos or completely turn off the location feature.

Indeed, we appreciate that people are sharing such vital information for our safety.

Remember, only share your raw photos with people you trust.

A screenshot can say less than the original file.

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