Removing Sensitive Information

[qbenguy]

Hi All,

I'm working on a project where personal/sensitive information needs to be redacted from documents before they can be shared with the public. I think I might be taking an extra step out of caution that may not be needed, and need your advice/feedback.

After opening the pdf documents in Designer 2, I've been going to File > Edit in Photo 2, and deleting the information. Then coming back to File > Edit in Designer 2, and creating a grey rectangle around that section. My concern is after exporting the file as a PDF, the information can still be visible if I don't delete it. Is this the approach you would take?

Thanks in advance for your help, and appreciate any feedback.

[firstdefence]

How are you actually deleting the information?

You can export a PDF that will require a password to edit content.

[NotMyFault]

5 hours ago, qbenguy said:

Hi All,

I'm working on a project where personal/sensitive information needs to be redacted from documents before they can be shared with the public. I think I might be taking an extra step out of caution that may not be needed, and need your advice/feedback.

After opening the pdf documents in Designer 2, I've been going to File > Edit in Photo 2, and deleting the information. Then coming back to File > Edit in Designer 2, and creating a grey rectangle around that section. My concern is after exporting the file as a PDF, the information can still be visible if I don't delete it. Is this the approach you would take?

Thanks in advance for your help, and appreciate any feedback.

As far as  I know Affinity lacks a dedicated „redact“ function available in Adobe products https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/removing-sensitive-content-pdfs.html

You should use extra care and carefully inspect exported files when manually redacting PDF documents in Affinity Apps.

I would suggest to create a flattened / rasterized PDF if possible, this reduces the risk of leaving traces of readable text.

 

[Alfred]

6 hours ago, qbenguy said:

After opening the pdf documents in Designer 2, I've been going to File > Edit in Photo 2, and deleting the information. Then coming back to File > Edit in Designer 2, and creating a grey rectangle around that section.

There’s no need to switch between apps. In either app you can delete the information (regardless of whether it’s included as pixels or editable text) and you can create rectangles.

[thomaso]

In addition to the above: You might also check + edit the various entries in the "Fields" panel in APub / the "Metadata" panel in APhoto to avoid unwanted info in an exported file. – For the export of documents as rasterized image file type you have an additional option to "Embed metadata" in the export dialog.

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[qbenguy]

Hi @firstdefence, thanks for your response. I'm deleting the information using the Erase Brush in Photo 2, then switching back to Designer 2 and using the Rectangle tool filling it with a grey color.

I do like that we now have the option to add a password to exported pdf files, but for this specific project I may not be able to add option because the client may not want to enter a password before opening each file. I am going to see if that's a possible option they may be open to using going forward.

[qbenguy]

Hi @NotMyFault, I appreciate what you shared!

I wasn't aware that Adobe Acrobat has a redact function, and it looks like that may be one of the best approaches. If I do end up sticking with Affinity, I like your advice on creating a flattened/rasterized pdf to reduce any traces of readable text. I'm going to also look into that as a possible if needed option.

[qbenguy]

Hi @Alfred, thanks!

I'd rather not switch to edit in Photo 2, and I must be overlooking how to erase the information in Designer 2. I'm gonna take a deeper look because it sounds like I may not have the eraser tool in Designer 2 added to my toolbar. 

[qbenguy]

Hi @thomaso, thanks for what you shared!

I opened a previous pdf file that was sent to the client, and although I'm not seeing any personal information other than the created date. I have to also say that I honestly feel that I need to learn more about the fields panel in Publisher 2, and the metadata panel in Photoshop 2. I say that because I feel I'm not sure what to look for, and I think it would definitely help for this and possibly future projects to get a lot more acquainted with both of those panels. 

[Alfred]

32 minutes ago, qbenguy said:

I'm gonna take a deeper look

I think you need to investigate the Pixel persona.

[wonderings]

I have never had to do this, but could you do a simple find and replace in this case? Replace the name or whatever it is with **redacted**. That way it is not there at all. I can't speak to the security of other options but there may be ways of getting around things. I know with locking down a PDF you can get by those easily on a Mac, and if the free way on a Mac does not work there are apps you can buy for less than $50 that will remove a PDF security. 

[firstdefence]

1 hour ago, qbenguy said:

I'm deleting the information using the Erase Brush in Photo 2

If this is the case, it sounds like the document is already rasterised; certainly any text, and that it has been flattened but these are just assumptions, like Alfred has mentioned Affinity Designer has a Pixel Persona with a pixel eraser tool.

[Old Bruce]

If I had to do this I would make a copy and name it REDACTED_Document Name.afdesign/.afpub and follow @wonderings' advice and remove the text replacing it with x-x-x- (in a monospaced font to confuse people as to what the length of the name actually could be), using a hyphen means the lines should break and remain similar lengths for the layout.

[R C-R]

2 hours ago, qbenguy said:

I'm gonna take a deeper look because it sounds like I may not have the eraser tool in Designer 2 added to my toolbar. 

Just in case it still isn't clear to you, you will find the Affinity Designer Erase Brush Tool in the Affinity Designer Pixel Persona.

[qbenguy]

I completely overlooked one of the best features that makes Affinity the best application...Personas. Thanks for reminding me.

I appreciate all of you and your help!