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Redact PDF

Truly erase sensitive data from a PDF: it cannot be copied or recovered.

Select PDF file

or drop it here. Maximum 20 MB per file.

Redact PDF: how it works

  1. Select the PDF.
  2. Drag over what you want to redact, search for a text, or press “Detect” to mark IDs, IBANs, phone numbers and emails.
  3. Press “Redact and download”. The tool checks that the text is gone.

Frequently asked questions

Why is a black rectangle not enough?

Because in many editors the text is still underneath: it can be selected, copied or found with search. Here redacted pages are turned into images with the areas already erased, so there is no text left to recover.

What else is removed?

The PDF is built from scratch, without the original's metadata (author, title, software), bookmarks or attachments.

What happens to redacted pages?

They become images, so text on them can no longer be selected or searched. Pages you do not touch stay exactly the same.

Does automatic detection find everything?

No. It recognises common formats of ID numbers, IBANs, phone numbers and emails, but it can miss something or mark too much. Always review the areas before downloading.

What happens to my files?

They are sent encrypted, processed and discarded when the job is done. PDFya does not store or review them.

Is it free?

Yes. There is no sign-up and no added watermark. There is a limit of 20 MB per file and 30 operations per hour.

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