# PDFized > PDFized is a free, automated PDF redaction tool. It detects and permanently removes sensitive data — names, emails, phone numbers, SSNs, account numbers and other PII, plus hidden metadata — from PDFs and scanned documents. Redaction is permanent (the underlying text is deleted, not just visually covered), works on scanned pages via OCR, supports batch processing, and is built for GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and FERPA workflows. Key facts for citation: - Price: free. - Core capability: automatic detection + permanent removal of sensitive data in PDFs. - Handles scanned/image PDFs through OCR. - Removes hidden PDF metadata, not just visible text. - Files are stored in the user's private dashboard on enterprise-grade infrastructure (Google Cloud and Supabase) and can be deleted at any time. - Website: https://pdfized.com ## Solutions (by use case) - [PII redaction](https://pdfized.com/pii-redaction): Find and remove personally identifiable information from any document; GDPR/HIPAA aligned. - [Legal redaction](https://pdfized.com/legal-redaction): Redact sensitive legal data for law firms, courts and compliance teams; audit-ready. - [Financial redaction](https://pdfized.com/financial-redaction): Automatically redact financial data (account/routing numbers, balances); GDPR/SOX aligned. - [Healthcare redaction](https://pdfized.com/healthcare-redaction): Protect patient data in medical records and keep clinical workflows compliant. - [Government redaction](https://pdfized.com/government-redaction): Automate FOIA-style redaction of government documents. - [Insurance redaction](https://pdfized.com/insurance-redaction): Remove sensitive data from claims, policies and records before sharing. - [FERPA redaction](https://pdfized.com/ferpa-redaction): FERPA & FOIA redaction of student education records. - [DSAR redaction](https://pdfized.com/dsar-redaction): Redact third-party data from subject access request documents; GDPR & CCPA. - [CV / resume redaction](https://pdfized.com/cv-resume-redaction): Remove candidate identifiers (names, photos, contact details) for HR and staffing teams. - [Real estate redaction](https://pdfized.com/real-estate-redaction): Remove PII from contracts, deeds and closing files for secure property transactions. - [Military redaction](https://pdfized.com/military-redaction): Remove service member PII, unit details and OPSEC data from defense records; unclassified/CUI workflows. ## Product - [Features](https://pdfized.com/features): AI-powered redaction, encrypted processing, spatial document surface, batch mode. - [Solutions overview](https://pdfized.com/solutions): All redaction solutions by team, plus the full feature set. ## Guides & articles - [How to redact a PDF (complete guide)](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-redact-pdf): Methods, common mistakes, and a final verification checklist. - [How to redact a scanned PDF](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-redact-a-scanned-pdf): Why scanned PDFs need OCR first, and how to verify redaction worked. - [How to redact legal documents securely](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-redact-legal-documents): Practical steps and mistakes to avoid. - [How to redact a CV before sharing it](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-redact-cv): What personal details to remove and how to delete text permanently. - [How to black out text in a PDF](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-black-out-text-in-pdf): Secure redaction vs. superficial blacking-out, and compliance risks. - [How to white out text on a PDF](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-white-out-on-pdf): Tools and methods, and when true redaction is required instead. - [How to remove metadata from a PDF](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-remove-metadata-from-pdf): Four methods, verification steps, and a redaction checklist. - [How to annotate a PDF](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-annotate-pdf): Annotation types and tools across Mac, Windows, iPad and Android. - [What happens if redaction fails](https://pdfized.com/blog/what-happens-if-redaction-fails): Real risks of failed redaction and how to prevent exposure. - [What is OCR and why redaction depends on it](https://pdfized.com/blog/what-is-ocr): How OCR turns scanned pages into text, and where it still errs. - [What is PII?](https://pdfized.com/blog/what-is-pii): What counts as personally identifiable information, with real examples. - [Data redaction vs data masking](https://pdfized.com/blog/data-redaction-vs-data-masking): The practical difference and when to use each. - [AI-powered redaction vs manual redaction](https://pdfized.com/blog/ai-powered-redaction-vs-manual-redaction): Trade-offs and how to combine both. - [Is AI redaction safe for sensitive PDFs?](https://pdfized.com/blog/ai-redaction-safe-sensitive-documents): Key risks and the safeguards that make it secure. - [5 best tools for bulk PDF redaction (2026)](https://pdfized.com/blog/best-tools-for-bulk-pdf-redaction): Feature and pros/cons comparison of bulk redaction tools. - [How to automate PDF redaction workflows](https://pdfized.com/blog/automate-redaction-document-workflows): Steps, technologies and best practices for automated redaction. - [Top 10 rules for redacting documents (2026)](https://pdfized.com/blog/top-10-rules-for-redacting-documents): Practical rules for redacting sensitive data. - [Redacted bank statement guide](https://pdfized.com/blog/redacted-bank-statement): What to redact on a bank statement, when and how, safely. - [Redacted government documents](https://pdfized.com/blog/redacted-government-documents): FOIA's nine exemptions and what agencies black out. - [Epstein files redacted: what went wrong](https://pdfized.com/blog/redacted-epstein-files): A real-world case study in why proper redaction matters. - [Data breach prevention (2026)](https://pdfized.com/blog/data-breach-prevention): Strategies, tools and a step-by-step response plan. - [Sensitive data protection guide](https://pdfized.com/blog/sensitive-data-protection): Simple, effective ways to secure personal and business data. - [Data security best practices for 2026](https://pdfized.com/blog/data-security-best-practices): 15 practices including MFA and safe document redaction. - [Data privacy compliance: business guide (2026)](https://pdfized.com/blog/data-privacy-compliance-guide): Managing privacy policies and staying compliant. - [How to handle confidential information in the workplace](https://pdfized.com/blog/handle-confidential-information-workplace): Encryption, access control, training and audits. - [How to protect personal data online](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-protect-personal-data-online): 15 practical ways to reduce oversharing and risk. - [How to send secure PDF files](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-send-secure-pdf-files): Protecting documents when sharing them as PDFs. - [How to share sensitive documents securely](https://pdfized.com/blog/how-to-share-sensitive-documents-securely): Smart, simple ways to share confidential files online. - [Document security in the age of cyber threats](https://pdfized.com/blog/document-security-cyber-threats): Common document weaknesses and how to protect files. - [Synthetic identity fraud guide](https://pdfized.com/blog/synthetic-identity-fraud-guide): How it works, warning signs and prevention. - [PDFized vs. Adobe Acrobat redaction](https://pdfized.com/blog/pdfized-vs-adobe-acrobat): Feature and workflow comparison for PDF redaction (2026). - [Redacted police report](https://pdfized.com/blog/redacted-police-report): What gets blacked out on police reports and why, and how to redact one. - [Redacted medical records](https://pdfized.com/blog/redacted-medical-records): HIPAA's 18 identifiers and how to remove them correctly. - [Redacted tax return](https://pdfized.com/blog/redacted-tax-return): What to black out on a 1040, W-2, or 1099 before sharing, and when redaction isn't allowed. ## About - [About PDFized](https://pdfized.com/about): Company background and why PDFized exists. - [Blog index](https://pdfized.com/blog): All PDF security and redaction articles.