Which metadata exactly? Is the actual concern that someone unaware might accidentally stumble on the unprocessed image?

To start with, without a linearization table, white and black levels, how exactly do you expect sensor data to be usefully interpreted?

Well, I assumed Exif and embedded color profile would have been expressive enough for this. I do agree I'm a bit out of my depth when it comes to raw photo data but Exif seemed to have properties for everything, even counting the kitchen sinks in the image.

Where did that come from? It feels like you’re working backwards from some bad feelings felt about Apple.

Hmmm, is the jpeg xl data inside the dng not demosaicized?