Location Information within Photographs
iPhone iOS and Android mobile phones both include location information within any photographs taken by default.
When a photograph is taken, the mobile phone includes various exif information including the time and date it was taken, the make and model of the phone used, the operating system version of the phone at the time and the geo-cordinates of the location of the device.
When the user reviews the photographs within the ‘Photos’ application, the exif information allows the photographs to be grouped into date that they had been taken as well as where they had been taken.
However, sometimes, the location information recorded within a photograph can be inaccurate. Concentrating on the iPhone, below are a few reasons why this can occur.
How Can Photographs Show the Wrong Location?
An iPhone mobile phone can obtain the device location from various sources, including GPS satellite, the mobile phone cell being used at that time or any identified WiFi signals.
The most accurate source of information is obtained by the phone using GPS which is based on satellite and is highly accurate. GPS is also used within SatNav car systems to provide exact speed and movement.
However, when the GPS signal is switched off or is unavailable at the time that the photograph is taken it can affect the accuracy of the location recorded within the exif data of the image as that information can be based upon less accurate data, such as cell locations and/or known WiFi signals.
Changing the EXIF Location Data within iPhone Photographs
If the location information within an image is incorrect and the photograph was taken at a different location to the one listed within ‘Photos’ then the data can be changed from the device itself. When the image is opened, select ‘Info’ and select the ‘location’ field from the menu displayed and then enter the actual location within that field or select and move the location pin on the map.
About Athena Forensics
For information on our digital forensic services or if you require any advice or assistance please contact a member of our team on 0330 123 4448 or via email on enquiries@athenaforensics.co.uk, further details are available on our contact us page.
Our client’s confidentiality is of the utmost importance. All correspondence is treated with discretion, from initial contact to the conclusion of any computer forensic investigation.
Our digital forensics experts are fully aware of the significance and importance of the information that they encounter and we have been accredited to ISO 9001 for 10 years.
Our forensic experts are all security cleared and we offer non-disclosure agreements if required. Our premises along with our security procedures have been inspected and approved by law enforcement agencies.
Athena Forensics do not disclose personal information to other companies or suppliers.
https://athenaforensics.co.uk/service/mobile-phone-forensic-experts/
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