Stirling PDF has a meta data removal tool included as well as a heap of other useful features. Can be self hosted.

https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF

I could be wrong but didn't a cut from blank tapes go to the industry tp 'make up for the losses'?

Ah that might have been it. I vaguely remember hearing about it at the time.

😂 Until the next election