PDF redaction software blocks sensitive or unwanted information in PDF files. PDF format was created by Adobe® Corporation in the 1990s and is now open-source. Redaction is associated with deletion of content, often for classified documents. PDF editing software allows for an extra layer of security.
PDF redaction software allows sensitive, confidential, or unwanted information to be redacted, or blocked, in a file created in Portable Document Format (PDF). It is often used in government agencies or large companies. Law firms and insurance companies also use this software to create documents before they are presented to a general audience.
The PDF format was created by Adobe® Corporation in the early 1990s as an easier way to share documentation across platforms and operating systems. It is now considered open-source, which means that the underlying technology can be used by anyone to create PDF software. This file format can combine multiple types of text, images, fonts, and graphics files and store them in one file readable on multiple operating systems.
Most PDF readers, regardless of manufacturer, are free. This makes it easy to share documents from a business or website because anyone with a computer connection can access the free software. Software to create, edit, or enhance a PDF file usually costs money, as the technology used is more complex. PDF editing software also usually costs more.
Although redaction by definition means preparing for publication, or in simpler terms “editing”, the meaning today is more often associated with the deletion of content. This could refer to large chunks of information that are not considered necessary, as well as information considered sensitive or classified. In most cases, the document is presented with redacted information blocks shown for editing, except in the case of classified documents, where it is completely locked.
The drafting was originally done very simply. A document that required redaction was edited with a thick black pen to erase any pertinent information, or the text was actually cut out with a knife. A recent example of this would be documents released as a result of the Freedom of Information Act. Although the documents were supposed to be made public, much of the information was considered confidential and had to be withheld. This was mostly done with thick black markup on specific text, and many of the documents have only a few sentences that weren’t redacted.
With PDF editing software, the editing process is made easier. The software is geared towards creating documents without including redacted information or otherwise protecting information that can be viewed. This allows for an extra layer of security with the information being shared. While it is possible to redact a document using some of the tools in PDF software, it is usually not as detailed and secure as PDF redaction software. Many of the PDF editing software packages are geared towards a specific profession, such as lawyers or those in the insurance industry.
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