# Does iPhone Exif data identify who took the picture? Need answer fast. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617 "2013-11-23T14:24:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/1 "2013-11-23T14:24:24Z")
Apologies for posting a google-able question, but I need to know the answer quickly and don’t have time to look in detail and be confident I have the definitive answer. From my initial gloss, it looks like the answer is “no” - the data are mainly technical info about the picture and GPS co-ordinates, but could someone who knows the answer for a fact let me know? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/2 "2013-11-23T14:32:19Z")
No, the Exif data does not contain a name. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/3 "2013-11-23T14:37:36Z")
Thank you! Follow up question: how precice is the GPS data? If the picture was taken in a large room, how close to the exact location of the photographer would the info be? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/4 "2013-11-23T14:45:22Z")
The numbers I usually see are in the range of 5-10m, but, from experience, it varies wildly and can be much farther off depending on the conditions. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/5 "2013-11-23T14:46:52Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/6 "2013-11-23T14:48:58Z")
Well, the GPS data is _stored_ to 1/100 of a second of arc (which gets you down to the foot range in terms of position), but the actual GPS reading is highly dependent on local conditions - signal strength, WiFi SSID reception, etc. I think that the best case is probably no better than 10’, and likely much worse indoors. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/7 "2013-11-23T15:01:33Z")
Yeah, I checked out to see what info is in the iPhone exif, like if there’s a serial number encoded (like my dSLRs do include that info in the EXIF), but there doesn’t appear to be any identifying information except for the model of iPhone being used to take the picture. So probably won’t be all that useful, but it’s one piece of identifying info. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/8 "2013-11-23T15:38:55Z")
Ok, we helped you. Now you just have to tell us why you need to know – there’s got to be a good story here. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/9 "2013-11-23T16:10:33Z")
XD! There is an alleged photo pertaining to an organization I am involved with peripherally that has caused great consternation to all concerned. Assuming the photo exists, it would be helpful to calm everything down by figuring out who took it. To anyone outside the organization, the whole matter would be laughably trivial, but anyone involved in organizations that people get overly passionate about can relate, I’m sure. I was asked by an elderly person what could be done to identify the picture taker, again if the picture exists. It is - with great relief I might add - I’m going to report that there is no useful info to be gotten. And then I can step away from the whole matter. ---
**Author:** ![Shaggy\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Shaggy\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shaggy_Z)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/10 "2013-11-23T16:13:31Z")
Is it a picture of Rob Ford? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/11 "2013-11-23T16:15:56Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > No, the Exif data does not contain a name. > [@D18](#): > > Thank you! Follow up question: how precice is the GPS data? If the picture was taken in a large room, how close to the exact location of the photographer would the info be? > [@pulykamell](#): > > The numbers I usually see are in the range of 5-10m, but, from experience, it varies wildly and can be much farther off depending on the conditions. So stick to your “My Twitter account was hacked” story and you might be OK. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/12 "2013-11-23T16:20:51Z")
**ShaggyZ** , no it’s even more laughably trivial than the Rob Ford situation! **Steve** , mercifully, I’m not a suspect! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/13 "2013-11-25T15:03:45Z")
But, there may not be a photo at all? If this was a sitcom plot, I’d scoff at how unbelievable it was. Hey, just tell the elderly enquirer that there’s NO evidence a photoexists, and until a photo surfaces, you should all assume you’re all in the clear. And be sure to do what I’ve had to do on more than one occasion: point out that someone could’ve photoshopped in that Brownie troop and the kangaroo and the Nutella. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/14 "2013-11-25T18:22:37Z")
Yes, when life is stupider than a sitcom, you know you’re in trouble. There probably is a photo. I haven’t seen it and the elderly person in question hasn’t seen it, but someone who I doubt would make it up says they have seen it. Anyway, this is probably passed into the domain of MPSIMS, and is probably too ridiculous for that. At any rate, I do appreciate the answers to my original and follow up GQ. It did settle things down. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/15 "2013-11-25T22:17:44Z")
As it happens, we’re working on a project at work now that deals with Exif data. My first thought on reading the OP was, how in the world would the camera know who is pushing the button? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/16 "2013-11-26T00:04:51Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > As it happens, we’re working on a project at work now that deals with Exif data. My first thought on reading the OP was, how in the world would the camera know who is pushing the button? Well, if it’s a smartphone, it clearly knows the owner’s name, and it’s not unreasonable to think that it might embed that in the exif. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/17 "2013-11-26T01:23:49Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > As it happens, we’re working on a project at work now that deals with Exif data. My first thought on reading the OP was, how in the world would the camera know who is pushing the button? Would the camera know who is actually pushing the button? No, of course not. Not unless there is some sort of fingerprinting technology installed, yaddayaddayadda. But plenty of dSLRs, as I mentioned, keep track of serial numbers in the EXIF data, so you can know at least exactly WHICH camera was being used. Can you prove beyond a doubt that the owner of the camera pressed the shutter? Of course not. But you can prove whose camera that was. It’s not unreasonable to ask this question, as the EXIF might contain a unique identifier connected to the phone. Will it identify the picture taker? No. Will it identify the phone? Yes, unless there is some sort of serial number spoofing involved. However, the iPhone does not appear to record this kind of data, so the OP is out of luck (I say “appear” because I don’t know what else might be in that file. But it’s not in the usual EXIF info.) ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/18 "2013-11-26T03:06:36Z")
All of this discussion has been about iPhones, which are pretty difficult to associate with a single person. But a Windows or Android-based phone is more easily identified among a limited group of people. There are several Android phones at my workplace, but I’m the only one with this particular model of Samsung phone, and the exact model is included in the Exif of the pictures I take. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/19 "2013-11-26T13:22:48Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > All of this discussion has been about iPhones, which are pretty difficult to associate with a single person. Not if the EXIF data includes the phone’s serial number. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617/20 "2013-11-26T14:48:25Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > As it happens, we’re working on a project at work now that deals with Exif data. My first thought on reading the OP was, how in the world would the camera know who is pushing the button? Fair enough: I hereby amend the question to: Does iPhone Exif data _record any of the user-name information stored on the device_ when a picture is taken? Don’t need answer fast, because two dopers kindly answered my question within minutes! 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iphone-exif-data-identify-who-took-the-picture-need-answer-fast/674617.md?page=2)