Your media stays in your browser.
TRACE/MEDIA is designed to inspect selected photos and videos on your device. This page explains what local processing means, what the app temporarily holds, and what you can do when your session ends.
How local file processing works
When you select media, the browser gives the app access to that file for this session. TRACE/MEDIA reads the selected file in the browser to extract available tags and to show a temporary preview. The original photo or video is not uploaded to the TRACE/MEDIA application server.
Video inspection loads its parser and WebAssembly module only when a video is inspected. The parser reads the selected file in chunks in the browser; image metadata is also parsed in the browser.
Temporary previews and session controls
The page creates temporary browser object URLs for media previews. These are session references to the selected local files, not public links. Removing an item or clearing the session releases those preview URLs. Closing the page also ends the page session.
Extracted metadata is displayed in the current page and can be copied or exported by your choice. An exported JSON file is saved through your browser download flow; the app does not automatically send or store that export.
What local processing does not guarantee
Local parsing does not change what your browser, operating system, network, or extensions may independently collect. It also cannot restore tags already stripped from a file. Google Maps opens in a separate Google service only if you choose a GPS link; Google then receives the location in that link according to its own policies.
Do not share exported metadata or map links if they reveal a private location, device identifier, or other information you want to keep private.
Questions about media privacy
For common questions about missing location, capture date, device model, and supported file types, visit the extractor FAQ or read the photo and video metadata guide.
This page describes the app's current local-first behavior. It is product information, not legal advice or a guarantee about other services you choose to open.