Short answer

WhatsApp often compresses and re-encodes videos, which usually removes some metadata in the version recipients see. But sending methods and file types vary, so you shouldn’t rely on it. If location privacy matters, strip metadata yourself first.

What metadata videos can contain

Phone videos may store:

  • GPS coordinates of where the video was recorded
  • Date/time and timezone
  • Device model and software versions
  • Camera/codec details (resolution, bitrate, lens)

What WhatsApp typically strips

When you send a video normally in chat, WhatsApp usually re-encodes it for size. That process commonly drops many metadata atoms in MP4, including location tags.

When metadata can remain

  • Sending as a file/document instead of as media.
  • Very small clips that are not re-encoded.
  • Different formats like MOV where metadata handling varies.

How to share videos safely on WhatsApp

  1. Export/convert your video to MP4 if needed.
  2. Strip metadata locally.
  3. Send the cleaned copy.

Strip MP4 metadata with PrivacyStrip

PrivacyStrip supports MP4 videos and removes metadata entirely in your browser.

  1. Open privacystrip.com.
  2. Select your MP4 video(s).
  3. Review detected location/device data.
  4. Click Remove All Metadata and download the clean file.
  5. Send that file on WhatsApp.

Protect your video privacy

Remove GPS and device metadata before you share.

Open PrivacyStrip