Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the removal of metadata include the removal of metadata from an artifact accompanying a message. In a mobile communication device, a method for removing metadata from an artifact accompanying a message includes displaying at least one prompt via a user interface of the mobile communication device. Further, the method includes receiving, from a user of the mobile communication device via the user interface in response to the at least one prompt, metadata removal preference data. Cleansing instructions based on the metadata removal preference data are created and the message, the cleansing instructions, and the artifact are sent to a delivery system. The delivery system removes metadata from the artifact based on the cleansing instructions.