Does stripping change my file's content?

No. Only the document info and XMP metadata are cleared; the page content stays the same.

Does it remove all hidden data?

We clear the document-info fields and XMP stream that most commonly leak identity. PDFs are complex, so for highly sensitive files combine this with the inspector.

Files never uploaded · processed in your browser

PDF metadata removal

Wipe author, creator app, and create/modify timestamps that expose who you are

PDF metadata removal runs locally and is designed for verifiable privacy work: process, export, then confirm the sensitive content is gone before sharing.

Redaction proofLOCAL

ProcessExportVerify

Processed in your browserWorks offlinePre-export self-check

Drag a file here, or click to choose

Processed locally in your browser — never uploaded

Operational notes

What this tool proves

Every PDF quietly records who made it, with what software, and exactly when — author name, company, Office/printer model, second-precise timestamps. This hidden metadata travels with the file when you share it. This tool clears the document info fields and the XMP metadata stream in one click, entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

How to use PDF metadata removal

1Pick a PDF — processed locally, never uploaded
2Click "Strip metadata"
3Download the clean copy; your original is untouched

Why this tool

Redacting a file but forgetting its metadata is the most common silent leak (Adobe makes Sanitize a separate, easy-to-miss step). We make metadata removal a one-click tool and bake it into the true-redaction flow by default.

FAQ

Does stripping change my file's content?: No. Only the document info and XMP metadata are cleared; the page content stays the same.
Does it remove all hidden data?: We clear the document-info fields and XMP stream that most commonly leak identity. PDFs are complex, so for highly sensitive files combine this with the inspector.

Related tools

PDF redaction (true delete)

Draw black bars that actually remove the underlying text — not just cover it

Fake-redaction detector / PDF inspector

See in one second whether text under the black bars is still copyable

State privacy rights

Deletion laws near this workflow

These source-checked rows connect local redaction and PII cleanup to state privacy deletion rights. The cluster is staged noindex until final legal review.

2026-01-01 · IN

Indiana

ICDPA takes effect

Updated 2026-06-10 · PrivScrub

Sources, review and limits

Last verified

2026-06-17

Author

RedactCat editorial desk

Reviewer

Privacy workflow review

Primary sources

Local PDF/image parsing and canvas rendering APIs
User-marked redaction regions and export settings
OCR helpers where the page explicitly offers OCR

Redaction is high risk. Always inspect the exported file for hidden text, metadata, layers and missed sensitive information before sharing.