[Eureka]

Is it possible to trace where pictures, posted on the net, were taken?  I'm not about to post any pics.  I read something about this, somewhere.

[The Gonz]

We all know when a camera takes a picture and timestamps it as a visible part of the image. Well, this can be done as part of the filename and beyond that, Google 'Counter Terrorist Steganography Search Engine" for a brilliant thesis and website explaining how information can be hidden in images. There's no reason why a camera or other smart device cannot use such an algorithm to encode GPS / Google Maps location into the same data.

Commercially, to protect copyright, this is called digital watermarking.

[beerman]

I believe phones with gps do this. One can opt out of the gps encoding some where in the options.

I have, but I bet millions havent.....

[Phil №❶]

Correct, my Rose pics are taken on my phone, with GPS location turned off, but I bet The Gonz could still find me. 

[The Gonz]

But I know the 'secret' location of Mos Eisley.

[Phil №❶]

 

[Dazzler]

But I know the 'secret' location of Mos Eisley.

Then you just have to look for a house with 2 x i30 + 1 x early Commodore in the driveway...

[Eureka]

Is there a difference between pics taken with a phone and pics taken with a digital camera?  (in terms of someone viewing the pic on the net and being able to locate where the pic was taken)

I am pretty ignorant about all this.  (don't even own a mobile ...) 

[Dazzler]

Is there a difference between pics taken with a phone and pics taken with a digital camera?  (in terms of someone viewing the pic on the net and being able to locate where the pic was taken)

I am pretty ignorant about all this.  (don't even own a mobile ...)

Some recent Digital Cameras have GPS locator built in (My Sony one does) but I have it switched off.

[Phil №❶]

Yes, modern upmarket Digital Cameras can store locations, so be sure of your photo equipment if you want anonymity.