Forensic-Safe PDF Redaction with Verification Reports
FreePrevent annotation overlays and hidden-text leaks. We rasterize pages, burn black boxes into pixels, strip metadata, and generate a verification report. Works great on mobile.
Why this is leak-safe
- No overlays/annotations — original page content is removed by rebuilding from images.
- Black boxes are burned into pixels (not selectable text).
- Optional metadata stripping avoids hidden fields, authors, XMP leftovers, attachments.
How to redact a PDF (forensically safe)
- Upload your PDF above.
- Add marks: type search terms (Enter/comma) or double-click a word to auto-mark; on desktop you can also draw boxes.
- Fine-tune: toggle “Snap to whole words”, remove marks, or undo manual boxes. If it’s a scan, you’ll see an OCR tip.
- Redact — we rasterize each page and burn black boxes into the pixels; metadata is stripped.
FAQ
Is the redaction permanent and safe against PDF tools?
Yes. Each page is rasterized to an image and black rectangles are burned into the pixels. The rebuilt PDF does not include the original text content, annotations, or form fields.
What if my PDF is a scan (image-only)?
We detect likely scanned/image-only PDFs and show a notice. Search-based redaction may not work, but drawing boxes still permanently burns pixels. For text search afterward, run OCR on the redacted output.
Is the output admissible in legal contexts?
Many organizations require irrecoverable redaction. Our approach removes text/annotations and provides a verification report. Always confirm with legal counsel for your jurisdiction and case.
Does it also redact metadata?
Yes. When enabled, metadata (e.g., XMP, document info, attachments) is stripped during rebuild. Form fields and annotations are not copied into the output.
Will text inside images be safe?
Yes. Rasterization flattens the entire page into pixels, so hidden text or vector layers are not preserved. If you need searchability afterward, run OCR on the redacted output.
Can I redact multiple areas and pages at once?
Yes. Add as many boxes as you need across pages, then process them in one go.
Is there a verification report?
Yes. The report includes pixel coverage checks for marked regions and keyword scans over the output to help confirm that sensitive terms are no longer discoverable.
Are my files private?
Redaction processing happens in your browser; PDFs aren’t uploaded unless you request a verification report stored temporarily.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. You can search and draw redaction boxes on touch devices like iPad or Android tablets.
How long does redaction take for a large PDF?
Rasterizing and redacting a 200-page PDF is streamed page by page, so finalizing the burn-in typically takes under a minute depending on your hardware.