High-quality image files often contain —embedded information about the date, time, camera settings, and sometimes even location of a photograph. In many cases, metadata from these images revealed timestamps from 2003 to 2006 , suggesting that the photos were not a single event but the result of a multi-year, consensual practice of documenting intimate relationships. This metadata added another layer of authenticity and intrigue, as it reinforced the "realness" of the images beyond their visual content.

The scandal involved over 1,000 images. A .rar file allowed leakers to compress these numerous files into a single, manageable archive, making it easy to upload, download, and share.

and establishing himself as a key collaborator with major brands like and, more controversially,