How to Securely Redact Documents

Learn the basics of document redaction with RedactProof - from uploading your PDF to exporting a verified, permanently redacted document.

Last updated: 15 January 2025

Privacy-First Architecture

RedactProof uses client-side processing. Your documents are processed entirely within your web browser and never leave your device. Only cryptographic hashes (mathematical fingerprints) are sent to our servers for certificate registration.

RedactProof is a browser-based document redaction tool designed for professionals handling sensitive information. Unlike cloud-based alternatives that require uploading documents to external servers, RedactProof processes everything locally - giving you the security benefits of desktop software with the convenience of a web application.

Key Capabilities

  • AI-Powered Detection: Machine learning models identify names, addresses, dates of birth, and 40+ categories of personally identifiable information (PII)
  • Pattern Matching: Regex-based detection for structured data like National Insurance numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, and postcodes
  • Pixel-Burn Redaction: Permanent, irrecoverable redaction that removes underlying text data - not just a black box overlay
  • Verification Certificates: Cryptographic proof that your redacted document is authentic and has not been modified since export

How Client-Side Processing Works

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When you upload a document, it loads directly into your browser's memory. The AI model runs in your browser using WebAssembly technology. Redactions are applied locally, and the finished document is downloaded directly to your device. The only data that leaves your device is a cryptographic hash (a one-way mathematical fingerprint) used to register your verification certificate.

Step-by-Step Workflow

Step 1: Upload Your Document

  1. Navigate to app.redactproof.com
  2. Drag and drop your PDF onto the upload area, or click to browse
  3. Wait for the document to load in your browser

Supported formats: PDF files only. For other formats, convert to PDF first.

Step 2: Review Detected Information

Once loaded, RedactProof automatically scans your document. Detected items appear in the sidebar with:

  • The detected text - What was found
  • Category label - e.g., "Person Name", "Email Address", "Date of Birth"
  • Confidence indicator - How certain the AI is about the detection
  • Page location - Click to navigate directly to the item

Detection Categories

The AI model identifies over 40 types of sensitive information, including:

Person Names Addresses Dates of Birth Phone Numbers Email Addresses NI Numbers Passport Numbers Bank Accounts Credit Cards Medical IDs IP Addresses Vehicle Plates

Step 3: Approve or Dismiss Detections

Review each detection and decide what to redact:

  • Click the checkbox to approve for redaction
  • Click dismiss (x) to ignore false positives
  • Click the item to navigate to its location
  • Use "Select All" to approve all detections at once
  • Filter by category to review specific types

Adding Manual Redactions

For items the AI missed, you can add manual redactions:

  • Text selection: Click and drag to select text, then click "Redact"
  • Area selection: Use the rectangle tool to draw boxes over images or handwritten content

Step 4: Export Your Redacted Document

  1. Click the Export button in the toolbar
  2. Wait for processing (progress bar shows status)
  3. Your download starts automatically

What you receive depends on your account tier:

Tier Export Format Certificate Watermark
Guest Single PDF None Yes
Lite / Pro / Team ZIP bundle Included No

Next Steps