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5 Expensive Redaction Fails
Redaction Fails


The Process of Redaction: Why it is Important


Redaction is an important part of all documentation. It is relevant in legal proceedings, the protection of sensitive material, and investigative security.


Redaction of information ensures that only the appropriate material is communicated, and that sensitive information is not exposed. With the expansion of both the judiciary and legal systems, redaction has only increased in its importance. With the emergence of new methods of redaction, one would think that there is only improvement in this practice. Of course, technology has both simplified and complicated the process of redaction.


When redaction goes wrong, potentially sensitive materials can be leaked to the public. Such failures can create major headaches for all parties involved, and liability concerns can creep into the proceedings.


Redaction can cost users and companies millions, and when this occurs, they will likely seek restitution for such failures. Many redaction errors have occurred where sensitive information was leaked, damaging reputations, and exposing valuable financial and business information.


These five examples can show you what went wrong in a redaction and what you can do right to avoid making the same mistake.


They didn’t pick the right software


Many people think that with the advent of word processing and document systems like PDF, redaction is a simple process. If you just put a black text box over the material, then it is redacted and there is no concern.


One law firm had to make amends to the Virginia Court for failing in redaction. The firm utilized Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat to implement their redaction, but both are not specialized tools for doing so. Many people will simply overlay a black box over material, thinking it is redacted.


A meager sleuth, though, can simply copy and paste the material from the black box into another document, exposing what was supposed to be covered. Specialized tools should be utilized when redacting information, as they prevent the very simple errors that occur when redacting. This firm was representing Indivior Inc., a drug manufacturer. With a high-stakes court case on the line for Indivior, a failure in redaction may see them pay out millions.


Redactions, Outmoded?


While redactions have been an age-old method of protecting sensitive material, they are not foolproof. Disregarding errors, sophisticated AI and adaptive learning models are now able to work around the previous security redactions afforded. A study from the University of Zurich showed that such technology can successfully glean hidden information with high rates of accuracy.


Hundreds of thousands of documents can be scanned to obtain sensitive information. There may already be millions on the line if such measures are undertaken, as vulnerable individuals who think their data is safe are likely wrong. With the security redaction affords only decreasing, serious concerns are posed to companies and governments.

Potentially major litigation can occur when sensitive information is leaked, and companies will often find themselves footing the bill. If AI technology is only improving in its sophistication in this method, companies are at risk of major lawsuits. Utilizing the right software and keeping up to date on defensive measures is the only step to ensure that you keep information safe when redacting.


The Stakes of Redaction


Even major corporations are at risk of redaction failures. In 2011, a major breach in legal security occurred when a judge's statements, supposedly redacted, were easily discovered concerning a court case between Apple and Samsung. The infringement case Apple had against Samsung risked potentially leaking very sensitive material to Apple's competitors and losing the company millions. The data concerned internal metrics Apple had on user-retention, very sensitive material that puts Apple at risk of losing customers. If such a redaction were worse, Apple could have had major production information leaked, giving their competitors a total advantage over them.


The Politics of Redaction


One high-profile court case where a redaction blunder occurred was for Paul Manafort. Manafort's legal team did not properly redact information in pleadings. As a result, information indicating Manafort was providing Trump campaign information to a Russian business associate leaked. Manafort's reputation took such a major hit that he will likely never financially recover, and he potentially damaged several other individuals' income as well. The common error with the improper use of black boxes is that it exposes the sensitive material. Manafort's political reputation being ruined as the case dragged out, and as the sensitive material spread, is such a blunder that likely damaged this individual's income forever.


Protecting Employees


Redaction failures can lead to even the most pertinent information for individuals leaking. Companies have a major duty to protect former and current employees' information, so when the United States Postal Service failed to do so in 2019, a former employee risked major financial and life damage. When a FOIA request was made to the Postal Service for the employee in question, the Postal Service ended up not properly redacting information concerning the employee's health data and social security number. The leaking of personally identifiable information (PII) is a major error that could lead to potentially life-long financial difficulties for the former employee. Major errors like this must be avoided by any responsible business, or they could end up as liable as the USPS.

Redactions Outside of the Court


Redaction failures do not just concern legal proceedings. Journalists and newspapers have certain obligations to fulfill on behalf of the subjects and topics they report on. It is often necessary for them to redact certain information to protect the privacy and information of others. Failing to do so can be disastrous and expensive, such as the case that occurred in 2014 for The New York Times. The news publication was engaged in reporting on the government leaks that happened with the Snowden affair. When documents were given to the Times, they failed to redact the names of individuals and government operations. Such a mistake risks the lives and security of many people. The Times' failure proved to be a major embarrassment for a prominent newspaper and likely lost them readership and risked lawsuits.


Redaction is an important means for the protection of sensitive data. In our current age, proper procedures and tools must be used when redacting sensitive materials. Compliance laws necessitate that law firms and businesses engage in appropriate data protection, or they risk enormous sums of money in damages. Idox.ai is a great tool for redacting information. Sign up to make sure the information you handle is safe.

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