REDACTED

Redacted is an adjective and past participle of the verb redact, meaning to edit a document by removing sensitive information before publication. In practice, redacted material has portions that are obscured or removed to prevent disclosure, while preserving the overall structure and readability of the document.

Redaction is common in government, legal, corporate, and journalistic contexts. The purposes include protecting national security, personal privacy, confidential sources, trade secrets, or ongoing investigations.

Formats and methods: Visual redaction uses opaque marks such as black bars or solid blocks; in digital documents, masking or redaction software can apply pixelation, color masking, or secure deletion. The term REDACTED is often printed in the redacted area to indicate that material has been removed.

Legal framework and issues: In the United States, FOIA and other statutes authorize redactions and require a balance between openness and protection; many jurisdictions have privacy laws governing what may be redacted. Declassification processes may lead to partial or full release later. Critics argue that over-redaction can hamper transparency; under-redaction can risk privacy or security.

Limitations and note: Even after redaction, context or metadata can sometimes reveal information; redactions do not guarantee complete secrecy; careful handling is required when sharing redacted documents.