Metadata is
information stored with digital content or communications. There are three
basic categories of metadata: substantive,
system, and embedded. Substantive
metadata is metadata created by the application used by the user, and is
usually embedded within the application itself.
This category of metadata often shows information about the modification
or editing of a document or file. When cyberbullying occurs and there are
allegations that the document or image used in the cyberbullying had been
doctored or changed substantive metadata could allow the investigator to
discover whether files have been altered by another party.
System metadata is created by the user, the
system or network being used. This
metadata includes programmed information about the author, technical
information about the author’s device, possibly the location, and the date and
time of the publishing or modification of information. This metadata will help identify the device
used in creating the content, and depending on the accuracy of any programmed
settings, the owner, date, location and time the content was created. It can
often help determine the “ground zero” of a cyberbullying, harassment or
sexting campaign.
Embedded
metadata consists of the content, data, text, or other information that a user
inputs his or herself, but which is not typically visible when viewing the
native file. Examples of this include
spreadsheet formulas, and internally or externally linked files, such as
hyperlinks or sound files. This is often used to help mask the real
cyberbullying. Linking an innocent-appearing image to a rumor-mongering
Facebook post or nastier manipulated images makes it easier to launch a
cyberbullying public campaign without being obvious to school authorities or
other adults.
