I always remove this data from my screenshots before sharing, but is there any way to prevent this from happening in the first place? I’ve searched and searched, but all I can find is information about how to remove the data after the fact, which I already know how to do, but it would sure be nice if it never got added in the first place. Thanks.
That argument ignores that you need an account to upload pictures in most places (including here); you’re already identified.
Ignoring that, while it is technically true that the Android version adds a data point and therefore identifying bits of information, you’d still be one of 10^5 - 10^6 people in the same time zone with the same device/version combo unless you’re using some extremely uncommon device or are in an extremely unpopulated time zone. Compared to user agent and IP address, this is extremely little information and I’d argue quite useless without. If you need such strongly identifying data to even make any use of this, I don’t think it’s worth worrying about.
Besides, if you control a forum or other site that allows picture uploads and wanted to identify a user, there are so much better methods than any of this.