If this sounds like your week
EXIF is a file format feature that became a privacy footgun.
“remove IPTC keywords and embedded copyright block batch” is not about hating metadata; it is about controlling it with tools that match the stakes. Press kits and licensed resets frequently inherit IPTC keyword blobs and rights strings from upstream agencies that no longer apply to the downstream use.
Where tooling usually breaks
Copy-paste forum advice does not scale to 20,000 frames.
One wrong flag, one missed field, one “it looked fine in Preview” moment is enough.
The invisible payload
Image looks fine in viewer EXIF: GPS, body, lens, software Client sees: the photo Internet sees: the rest MetaForge: strip on disk