diff --git a/cmd/server/routes.go b/cmd/server/routes.go
index 3fb146b5..b72b06e2 100644
--- a/cmd/server/routes.go
+++ b/cmd/server/routes.go
@@ -467,15 +467,15 @@ func (s *Server) handleConfigMap(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 func (s *Server) handleConfigGeoFilter(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	gf := s.getGeoFilter()
-	// writeEnabled leaks whether the server has a strong API key to unauthenticated
-	// callers. Risk accepted: the information (key is/isn't configured) is low-sensitivity
-	// and the GET endpoint is intentionally public for read-only clients.
-	writeEnabled := s.cfg != nil && s.cfg.APIKey != "" && !IsWeakAPIKey(s.cfg.APIKey)
+	// NOTE: do NOT include any field that derives from APIKey presence/strength here.
+	// This endpoint is intentionally public; leaking whether a write-capable key is
+	// configured is an info-disclosure. Clients that want to write should just try
+	// PUT and handle 401/403. See PR #736 review.
 	if gf == nil || len(gf.Polygon) == 0 {
-		writeJSON(w, map[string]interface{}{"polygon": nil, "bufferKm": 0, "writeEnabled": writeEnabled})
+		writeJSON(w, map[string]interface{}{"polygon": nil, "bufferKm": 0})
 		return
 	}
-	writeJSON(w, map[string]interface{}{"polygon": gf.Polygon, "bufferKm": gf.BufferKm, "writeEnabled": writeEnabled})
+	writeJSON(w, map[string]interface{}{"polygon": gf.Polygon, "bufferKm": gf.BufferKm})
 }
 
 func (s *Server) handlePutConfigGeoFilter(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
diff --git a/docs/user-guide/geofilter.md b/docs/user-guide/geofilter.md
index c61852d6..f17d7a62 100644
--- a/docs/user-guide/geofilter.md
+++ b/docs/user-guide/geofilter.md
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ If your server has an `apiKey` configured, the **GeoFilter tab** in the Customiz
 5. Enter your **Server API Key** (the `apiKey` value from `config.json`)
 6. Click **Save to server** — the filter is applied immediately, no restart needed
 
-The editing controls only appear when the server has a write-capable API key configured. On deployments without an `apiKey`, the tab shows the current polygon as read-only.
+The editing controls are always visible. Saving requires entering the server's `apiKey`; on servers without one (or with a weak key), the save request returns `401`/`403` and the error is shown inline.
 
 To remove the filter, click **Remove filter** (also requires the API key).
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ For local/offline use without a running server, open `tools/geofilter-builder.ht
 GET /api/config/geo-filter
 ```
 
-Returns the current geo filter configuration. Also includes a `writeEnabled` boolean indicating whether the `PUT` endpoint is available (i.e., server has a write-capable `apiKey`).
+Returns the current geo filter configuration (`polygon`, `bufferKm`). Whether the `PUT` endpoint will accept a write depends on whether the server has an `apiKey` configured; clients should attempt the write and handle `401`/`403` if it isn't.
 
 ```
 PUT /api/config/geo-filter
diff --git a/public/customize-v2.js b/public/customize-v2.js
index 67a170e7..1e9ef4c9 100644
--- a/public/customize-v2.js
+++ b/public/customize-v2.js
@@ -1508,12 +1508,13 @@
 
     if (!_gfLoaded) {
       api('/config/geo-filter', { ttl: 0 }).then(function (gf) {
-        // Show edit controls only on servers that have a write-capable API key configured
-        if (gf && gf.writeEnabled) {
-          _gfWriteEnabled = true;
-          var editEl = container.querySelector('#cv2-gf-edit');
-          if (editEl) editEl.style.display = '';
-        }
+        // Always expose edit controls. The server no longer leaks apiKey presence
+        // via writeEnabled (info-disclosure on a public endpoint); instead, the
+        // user enters their API key into the editor and writes either succeed or
+        // get a 401/403 surfaced as an inline error.
+        _gfWriteEnabled = true;
+        var editEl = container.querySelector('#cv2-gf-edit');
+        if (editEl) editEl.style.display = '';
         if (gf && gf.polygon && gf.polygon.length >= 3) {
           _gfPoints = gf.polygon.map(function (p) { return [p[0], p[1]]; });
           var buf = container.querySelector('#cv2-gf-buffer');
@@ -1523,7 +1524,7 @@
           _gfStatus(container, gf.polygon.length + ' points · bufferKm=' + (gf.bufferKm || 0));
         } else {
           _gfPoints = [];
-          _gfStatus(container, gf && gf.writeEnabled ? 'No geo filter. Click the map to open the editor.' : 'No geo filter configured.');
+          _gfStatus(container, 'No geo filter. Click the map to open the editor.');
           _gfMap.setView([50.5, 4.4], 5);
         }
         _gfLoaded = true;