EXIF
Exchangeable Image File Format — metadata embedded in photos that records camera, lens, exposure, GPS and more.
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is the metadata standard for digital photos. It stores camera make and model, lens, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, timestamp, optional GPS coordinates, and dozens of other technical fields. Real cameras write EXIF automatically; AI generators usually don't.
Detectors check for EXIF presence and consistency. An image with no EXIF is suspicious. An image with EXIF that doesn't match the visible content (a daytime scene with timestamps from 3am, a wide-angle shot tagged with a 200mm lens) is also suspicious.
SynthGuard's EXIF generator builds a complete, internally consistent EXIF block before export. Pick a camera profile and the generator fills in lens, ISO, aperture, shutter, white balance, and software fields that match. Timestamps are randomized within a sensible window. GPS is optional.
Stripping EXIF entirely is also useful for privacy — for example, before sharing personal photos. The /tools page (Phase 3) will include a free EXIF stripper.
Tools that address EXIF
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