Filename Privacy Checker — what your file names give away
Type or paste a file name to flag the parts that leak private information — dates, locations, names, and IDs — before you upload it.
Everything runs in your browser. No data is uploaded or stored.
About this tool
A small tool that does one thing well: A checker that scans a file name for patterns that quietly disclose personal information.
File names travel with uploads on many sites, and a name like 'passport_john_smith_1990.jpg' says more than the file's contents. This tool flags dates, likely names, location words, ID-like numbers, and other risky patterns, and suggests a neutral replacement.
It is pattern-based and local to your browser — a prompt to think, not a guarantee.
How to use it
- Type or paste the file name (with its extension).
- Read the flags: each highlights a part of the name that could identify you.
- Use the suggested neutral name, or rename the file yourself before uploading.
Frequently asked questions
Is anything sent anywhere?
No. The check is a set of patterns applied in your browser. The name you type never leaves the page.
Do file names really get published?
Often, yes. Forums, issue trackers, cloud share links, and many websites keep the original file name. Large social platforms usually rename on upload, but do not rely on it.
What patterns does it flag?
Dates, sequences that look like IDs or phone numbers, common location words, capitalised words that look like names, and sensitive keywords such as 'passport' or 'invoice'. It is heuristic, so it can miss things and over-flag.