Terms of Service

Last updated: March 2026

§ 1 Scope

(1) These Terms of Service apply to the use of the web application MetaDataGone at metadatagone.com (hereinafter "Service"), operated by Tom Silas Helmke (hereinafter "Provider").

(2) Deviating terms of the user are not recognized unless the Provider expressly agrees to their validity.

§ 2 Description of Service

(1) The Service provides a browser-based tool for analyzing and removing metadata from digital files (in particular images, PDF documents, and Office files).

(2) File processing takes place exclusively in the user's browser. No files, file contents, or embedded metadata are transmitted to servers of the Provider or third parties. Technically required connections for license verification (LemonSqueezy via `/api/verify-license`) and map tiles/location search (OpenStreetMap/Nominatim) remain unaffected.

(3) The Service is offered in a free basic version and a paid Premium version.

§ 3 Free Use

(1) The free basic version includes the analysis and cleaning of individual files. (2) No registration is required for free use. (3) The Provider reserves the right to change the scope of the free version at any time.

(4) Technical limits of the free version: maximum file size 10 MB per file, no batch processing, maximum 1 cleanup per browser session, no selective removal, no PDF report. Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, WebP, GIF, BMP, PDF, RTF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, ODT, ODS, ODP, EPUB (16 formats total).

§ 4 Premium Version and Payment

(1) The Premium version is unlocked by a one-time payment. It is NOT a subscription. (2) Payment is processed through LemonSqueezy (Lemon Squeezy LLC). LemonSqueezy acts as the merchant of record and handles payment processing as well as tax treatment under the destination country rules. LemonSqueezy's terms also apply: https://www.lemonsqueezy.com/terms. (3) After successful payment, the user receives a license key that unlocks Premium features. (4) Prices are final prices. The Provider is a small business operator under § 19 UStG; for LemonSqueezy purchases, VAT may be shown and remitted by LemonSqueezy. (5) The Premium license is valid for 3 (three) years from the purchase date. The license term includes all updates, bug fixes, and newly released file formats published during this period. (6) After the license term expires, the license can be renewed at the then-current price. The free basic version remains fully available even after Premium expires. (7) Two license tiers are offered: Personal and Professional. The respective feature scope is documented on the website.

(8) Personal feature scope: maximum file size 200 MB per file, batch processing up to 20 files, unlimited cleanups, selective removal available, no PDF report.

(9) Professional feature scope: maximum file size 500 MB per file, batch processing up to 50 files, unlimited cleanups, selective removal available, PDF report available.

§ 5 License Key

(1) The license key is intended for the personal use of the purchaser. (2) The transfer, sale, or public distribution of license keys is prohibited. (3) The Provider reserves the right to deactivate license keys in case of misuse or violation of these Terms. (4) In case of loss of the license key, the user may contact the Provider by email. Reissue is at the Provider's discretion.

(5) Activation limits: Personal licenses allow up to 5 activations, Professional licenses up to 10 activations. (6) Licenses are rechecked for validity at least every 7 days. If expired or disabled, limits fall back to the free version.

§ 6 Data Protection

(1) Information on personal data processing and external services (in particular OpenStreetMap, LemonSqueezy, Vercel, Ko-fi/PayPal) is set out in the Privacy Policy.

(2) The Privacy Policy is available at /datenschutz and applies in addition to these Terms.

§ 7 Disclaimer and Warranty. IMPORTANT

(1) The Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied.

(2) The Provider makes NO guarantee or warranty that:

  • the Service operates error-free, without interruption, or securely;
  • all metadata in a file is completely detected;
  • all metadata in a file is completely and correctly removed;
  • the cleaned file is free from any identifying information;
  • the Service is fit for a particular purpose;
  • steganographic watermarks, hidden data streams, or other non-standard information is detected or removed.

(3) The Provider expressly points out that:

  • metadata in unknown or proprietary formats may not be detected;
  • cleaning files may result in minor quality loss (e.g., JPEG recompression);
  • not all information contained in a file constitutes metadata in the technical sense (e.g., filenames, steganographic watermarks, embedded fonts with license information);
  • the use of this Service does NOT replace professional security advice.

(4) The user bears sole responsibility for verifying that the cleaned file meets their requirements before sharing or publishing it. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

(5) The Provider is only liable for damages based on intentional or grossly negligent conduct. Liability for slight negligence is excluded to the extent permitted by law.

(6) Liability for indirect damages, consequential damages, lost profits, data loss, or damages arising from the violation of personal rights attributable to the use or inability to use the Service is excluded to the extent permitted by law.

(7) The above limitations of liability also apply in favor of the Provider's vicarious agents. (8) Liability under the German Product Liability Act remains unaffected.

§ 8 Right of Withdrawal for Digital Content

(1) A statutory right of withdrawal of 14 days applies to the Premium version.

(2) The user agrees that the execution of the contract begins with the delivery of the license key before the withdrawal period expires, and confirms their knowledge that they lose their right of withdrawal upon commencement of execution (§ 356 (5) BGB, German Civil Code).

Withdrawal Instructions

Right of Withdrawal: You have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason. The withdrawal period is fourteen days from the date of the conclusion of the contract. To exercise your right of withdrawal, you must inform us (Tom Silas Helmke, tshfm78@gmail.com) by means of a clear declaration (e.g., an email) of your decision to withdraw from this contract.

Consequences of Withdrawal: If you withdraw from this contract, we shall reimburse you all payments we have received from you without undue delay and no later than fourteen days from the day on which we received the notification of your withdrawal from this contract.

Premature Expiry of the Right of Withdrawal: The right of withdrawal expires for contracts for the supply of digital content not on a tangible medium if the trader has begun execution of the contract after the consumer has expressly consented to the trader beginning execution before the withdrawal period expires and has confirmed their knowledge that they lose their right of withdrawal by giving their consent upon commencement of execution.

§ 9 Notice for Journalists, Activists, and Vulnerable Users

(1) MetaDataGone is an auxiliary tool and NOT a substitute for a comprehensive security strategy.

(2) Persons who rely on maximum anonymity (e.g., journalists, whistleblowers, activists) are strongly advised to:

  • verify cleaned files with independent tools (e.g., ExifTool);
  • take additional measures (VPN, Tor, secure communication channels);
  • not rely exclusively on a single tool;
  • seek professional security advice.

(3) The Provider assumes no liability for damages resulting from the user relying exclusively on the functionality of this Service.

§ 10 Availability

(1) The Provider strives for uninterrupted availability of the Service but does not guarantee any specific availability. (2) The Provider is entitled to discontinue, modify, or expand the Service in whole or in part at any time. (3) Since processing takes place exclusively in the user's browser, functionality also depends on the user's hardware and software (in particular browser version, available memory, JavaScript support).

§ 11 Copyright and Usage Rights

(1) The source code of MetaDataGone is partially published under the MIT License. (2) The logo, the "MetaDataGone" brand, and the website design are protected by copyright. (3) The user receives a simple, non-transferable right to use the Premium version for personal purposes.

§ 12 Changes to Terms

(1) The Provider reserves the right to change these Terms at any time. (2) The current version is always available on this page. (3) By continuing to use the Service after changes to the Terms, the user agrees to the modified terms.

§ 13 Final Provisions

(1) German law applies. (2) If the user is a merchant, legal entity under public law, or a special fund under public law, the place of jurisdiction is the Provider's registered office. (3) Should individual provisions of these Terms be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.