Pixelöinnin

Pixelöinnin is a Finnish term that translates to "pixelation" in English. It refers to the digital processing technique where an image is intentionally degraded or distorted by reducing its resolution, causing it to appear blocky or made up of visible squares (pixels). This is often done to obscure sensitive information such as faces in photographs or video footage, or to protect privacy in surveillance recordings.

The process involves grouping similar colored pixels together into larger blocks. When the resolution is significantly reduced, these blocks become distinct and noticeable, rendering the original detail unreadable. While the primary use of pixelöinnin is for privacy and censorship, it can also be employed as an artistic effect, creating a retro or abstract aesthetic. The degree of pixelation can vary widely, from a subtle blurring to a complete loss of recognizable features. Software applications used for image and video editing commonly offer tools to perform pixelöinnin. The effectiveness of pixelöinnin for obscuring information depends on the extent to which the resolution is reduced; more aggressive pixelation leads to greater obscurity.