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Investigate strange sky sounds, famous recordings, and the evidence behind their likely causes.

Within Record It

Do Not Let Sharing Ruin Your Best Evidence

Backing up untouched recordings protects metadata and audio quality that social platforms may remove through compression.

38 sources 3 graphics

On this page

  • Saving the original media and metadata
  • Creating backups before editing or uploading
  • Understanding compression and quality loss
Preview for Do Not Let Sharing Ruin Your Best Evidence

Introduction

If you record an unexplained sky sound that you think may be significant, the most important file is the one your recording device created—not the version you later upload to a social media platform. Online sharing is useful for finding other witnesses, but many services automatically compress audio and video, alter file formats, reduce resolution, or remove metadata. These changes can make later analysis more difficult and may prevent others from verifying when, where and how the recording was made. For anyone documenting unusual aerial sounds, preserving the untouched original should therefore be treated as a basic evidence-preservation step rather than an afterthought. NASA’s independent study of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) similarly emphasised that complete sensor data and metadata are essential because missing contextual information greatly limits scientific evaluation.[nist.gov]nist.govdigital and multimedia evidenceSeptember 13, 2013…Published: September 13, 2013

File Preservation illustration 1

Save the Original Before You Share Anything

The safest approach is simple: never let your first upload become your only copy.

As soon as practical after making the recording:

  • Leave the original file exactly as your device created it.
  • Copy it to another location before editing, trimming or uploading.
  • Keep the original filename if possible.
  • Avoid opening the file in applications that automatically re-encode media on export.
  • Store at least two copies on different devices or storage media.

This preserves both the media itself and the information embedded within it. Depending on the device, metadata may include the recording time, file creation details, device model, GPS location (if enabled), recording settings and other technical information that can help reconstruct the circumstances of the event. Apple, for example, notes that original photo and video files may include metadata such as date, time, location and device information, while also providing options to preserve or alter that information during sharing.[Apple Support]support.apple.comSupport Share photos and videos on i PhoneApple SupportShare photos and videos on iPhone - Apple Support (IE)…

Why Social Media Copies Are Usually Poor Evidence

A recording that sounds convincing online may be much less useful for technical review than the original stored on your phone or recorder.

Most major sharing platforms optimise uploaded media for storage and streaming efficiency. Depending on the service, this may involve:

  • Lowering audio or video bitrates.
  • Changing the codec or container format.
  • Reducing image or video resolution.
  • Recompressing the file, introducing new artefacts.
  • Removing or rewriting metadata.
  • Renaming the file.

Research examining major photo-sharing platforms has shown that uploaded images are routinely transformed, with changes extending beyond visible quality to filenames and other digital characteristics. Such processing is valuable for platform efficiency but makes downloaded copies less representative of the original recording.[arXiv]arxiv.orgPractical Analyses of How Common Social Media Platforms and Photo Storage Services Handle Uploaded ImagesFebruary 23, 2023…Published: February 23, 2023

For an unexplained sky sound, even subtle changes matter. Compression can soften faint background noises, alter frequency content or introduce artefacts that complicate later spectral analysis. Likewise, stripped metadata may remove information needed to compare independent recordings from different witnesses.

Create Backups Before Any Editing

Many people instinctively trim silence, increase volume or apply noise reduction before sharing. While these edits may make the recording easier to hear casually, they permanently change the evidence unless the original has already been preserved.

A practical workflow is:

File Preservation illustration 2

  1. Record the event.
  2. Immediately duplicate the file.
  3. Archive the untouched original.
  4. Perform any editing only on the duplicate.
  5. Clearly label edited versions.

Using descriptive filenames such as:

  • Original_2026-07-31_2148.wav
  • Edited_NoiseBoost_v1.wav

helps prevent accidentally overwriting the source recording.

This approach mirrors established digital evidence practice, where preserving an unmodified original allows later reviewers to distinguish between observed data and subsequent processing. NIST’s work on digital and multimedia evidence likewise emphasises the importance of maintaining original digital material for reliable forensic examination.[nist.gov]nist.govdigital and multimedia evidenceSeptember 13, 2013…Published: September 13, 2013

Preserve Metadata Whenever Possible

Metadata is often invisible to the user but can be highly valuable during later review.

Depending on the recording device, useful metadata may include:

  • Date and time of recording.
  • Device model.
  • Recording format and sample rate.
  • GPS coordinates (if enabled).
  • Orientation and other sensor information.
  • Original filename and creation timestamp.

If you intentionally remove location information before publishing publicly for privacy reasons, retain a private copy containing the complete metadata. That way, you can still provide the original file to researchers or investigators if needed without exposing personal information online.

Some platforms and sharing methods preserve more original information than others. Apple, for instance, allows users in certain sharing workflows to send the original media with edit history and metadata instead of a converted version, although this depends on the chosen sharing option.[Apple Support]support.apple.comSupport Share photos and videos on i PhoneApple SupportShare photos and videos on iPhone - Apple Support (IE)…

File Preservation illustration 3

Share Copies, Not the Master File

Think of the original recording as a master archive.

For public discussion, create a separate sharing copy. This allows you to:

  • Reduce file size for easier uploading.
  • Blur personal information if necessary.
  • Trim irrelevant sections without affecting the archive.
  • Add captions or annotations.
  • Normalise playback volume for listeners.

If someone later requests the original for detailed analysis, you still have the untouched source available.

This distinction is especially important if multiple investigators independently examine the recording. Everyone can compare their analyses against the same unaltered file instead of different edited versions.

A Small Habit That Can Preserve Your Best Evidence

Most recordings of unusual sky sounds ultimately have ordinary explanations, ranging from aircraft and weather to industrial activity. Regardless of the outcome, preserving the original recording ensures that any investigation begins with the highest-quality evidence available.

Uploading to social media should therefore be viewed as the final step in documentation rather than the first. By keeping an untouched master copy, making secure backups before editing, and understanding that online platforms frequently recompress media and alter metadata, you maximise the chances that your recording can be assessed fairly and accurately if questions arise later.[arxiv.org]arxiv.orgPractical Analyses of How Common Social Media Platforms and Photo Storage Services Handle Uploaded ImagesFebruary 23, 2023…Published: February 23, 2023

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Endnotes

1. Source: nist.gov
Title: digital and multimedia evidence
Link:https://www.nist.gov/forensic-science/digital-and-multimedia-evidence

Source snippet

September 13, 2013...

Published: September 13, 2013

2. Source: support.apple.com
Title: Support Share photos and videos on i Phone
Link:https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/iphone/iphf28f17237/ios

Source snippet

Apple SupportShare photos and videos on iPhone - Apple Support (IE)...

3. Source: developer.apple.com
Title: Developermedia Metadata | Apple Developer Documentation
Link:https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uiimagepickercontroller/infokey/mediametadata

Source snippet

Apple DevelopermediaMetadata | Apple Developer Documentation...

4. Source: arxiv.org
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.12133

Source snippet

Practical Analyses of How Common Social Media Platforms and Photo Storage Services Handle Uploaded ImagesFebruary 23, 2023...

Published: February 23, 2023

5. Source: arxiv.org
Title: arXiv Reducing Storage in Large-Scale Photo Sharing Services using Recompression
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.11145

6. Source: nist.gov
Title: Digital Video Exchange Standards | NIST
Link:https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/digital-video-exchange-standards

7. Source: developer.apple.com
Title: Developerlive Photo Movie Metadata | Apple Developer Documentation
Link:https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfoundation/avcapturephotosettings/livephotomoviemetadata

Source snippet

Apple DeveloperlivePhotoMovieMetadata | Apple Developer Documentation...

8. Source: spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov
Title: filenaming recommendations
Link:https://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/guidelines/filenaming_recommendations.html

Source snippet

RecommendationsJuly 22, 2026 — RECOMMENDED FILE AND DATA COLLECTION NAMING PRACTICES SUMMARY Use data file and directory names that expre...

Published: July 22, 2026

9. Source: nasa.gov
Link:https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/images-and-media/

Source snippet

Guidelines for using NASA Images and Media GuidelinesJune 23, 2026 — NASA Brand and Collaborations The NASA Insignia, Logotype, identifie...

Published: June 23, 2026

10. Source: nasa.gov
Title: NAS A Digital and Social Media Policy
Link:https://www.nasa.gov/reference/nasa-digital-and-social-media-policy/

Source snippet

NASA Digital and Social Media Policy - NASAJune 8, 2026 — CONTENTS * Social Media Commenting Policy * Privacy on NASA Social Media Channe...

Published: June 8, 2026

11. Source: nasa.gov
Title: NAS A Policy on the Release of Information to News and Information Media
Link:https://www.nasa.gov/reference/nasa-policy-on-the-release-of-information-to-news-and-information-media/
Published: December 31, 2025

12. Source: nasa.gov
Title: Photography and Public Affairs
Link:https://www.nasa.gov/arc-event-photography-and-public-affairs/
Published: August 14, 2025

13. Source: nasa.gov
Title: Submit a Photo/Video to NASA
Link:https://www.nasa.gov/forms/submit-a-photo-video-to-nasa/
Published: January 3, 2025

14. Source: standards.nasa.gov
Link:https://standards.nasa.gov/node/233
Published: November 19, 2024

15. Source: science.nasa.gov
Title: raw images faq
Link:https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/multimedia/raw-images-faq/
Published: November 2, 2024

16. Source: nist.gov
Title: digital and multimedia evidence
Link:https://www.nist.gov/spo/forensic-science-program/forensic-science-research/digital-and-multimedia-evidence
Published: February 1, 2024

17. Source: nist.gov
Title: digital evidence
Link:https://www.nist.gov/itl/ssd/software-quality-group/computer-forensics-tool-testing-program-cftt/digital-evidence
Published: September 28, 2022

18. Source: nist.gov
Title: digital evidence preservation considerations evidence handlers
Link:https://www.nist.gov/publications/digital-evidence-preservation-considerations-evidence-handlers
Published: September 8, 2022

19. Source: nist.gov
Title: user guide nist media forensic challenge mfc datasets
Link:https://www.nist.gov/publications/user-guide-nist-media-forensic-challenge-mfc-datasets
Published: July 6, 2021

20. Source: discussions.apple.com
Link:https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252567608
Published: March 17, 2021

21. Source: nist.gov
Link:https://www.nist.gov/publications/media-forensics-challenge-image-provenance-evaluation-and-state-art-analysis-large
Published: October 26, 2020

22. Source: discussions.apple.com
Link:https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251500285
Published: June 22, 2020

23. Source: developer-mdn.apple.com
Link:https://developer-mdn.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/NetworkingInternet/Conceptual/StreamingMediaGuide/UsingHTTPLiveStreaming/UsingHTTPLiveStreaming.html
Published: March 1, 2016

24. Source: nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
Link:https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_1441001E&page_name=Chapter1
Published: January 29, 2015

25. Source: nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
Link:https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_1441001E&page_name=Chapter5
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26. Source: nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
Link:https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_1441001E&page_name=main
Published: January 29, 2015

27. Source: developer.apple.com
Title: live photos
Link:https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/live-photos/

28. Source: developer.apple.com
Link:https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfoundation/avcapturephotosettings/livephotomoviemetadata?language=objc

29. Source: developer.apple.com
Link:https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uiimagepickercontroller/infokey/livephoto

30. Source: developer.apple.com
Link:https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uiimagepickercontroller/infokey/livephoto?changes=_1

31. Source: developer.apple.com
Link:https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uiimagepickercontroller/infokey/livephoto?changes=_5&language=objc

32. Source: cfreds.nist.gov
Link:https://cfreds.nist.gov/

33. Source: lsda.jsc.nasa.gov
Link:https://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/explore/lsdahome/datasubmit

Additional References

34. Source: loc.gov
Link:https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/fdd000525.shtml
Published: May 22, 2024

35. Source: gowin.tools
Title: do social platforms strip metadata
Link:https://gowin.tools/blog/do-social-platforms-strip-metadata/

36. Source: magnetforensics.com
Title: Getting to the
Source: Understanding metadata removal on social media
Link:https://www.magnetforensics.com/blog/getting-to-the-source-understanding-metadata-removal-on-social-media/
Published: January 2, 2024

37. Source: curate.nd.edu
Title: Exploring iOS Metadata Manipulation in Digital Forensics
Link:https://curate.nd.edu/articles/journal_contribution/Exploring_iOS_Metadata_Manipulation_in_Digital_Forensics/24824241
Published: October 6, 2022

38. Source: sciencedirect.com
Title: Forensic analysis of video file formats
Link:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742287614000140
Published: May 1, 2014