Redaction is easy. Just run a Sharpie over a couple of social security numbers—boom, done!
Unclench your jaw… 😁 We know it’s a lot more complicated (and stressful) than that.
From knowing how to erase metadata to understanding the nuances of your jurisdiction’s requirements, redaction is fraught with possible costly, embarrassing complications.
But redaction software for public records can help ensure that you avoid the most common mistakes and make the whole process less painful.
Whether you’re a current JustFOIA client or considering joining us, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of your options to choose the right redaction program for you. Take the quiz to see our recommendations, then see the chart below for detailed information about each product’s capabilities!
Choosing a Redaction Software for Public Records
Most JustFOIA users choose our in-app redaction software module because it is specifically designed with the features you need for redacting public records. It has out-of-the-box capabilities for bulk redaction, redaction based on pattern recognition, an exemption log for compliance purposes (such as Washington State’s JLARC reporting requirements), and more. And as always, JustFOIA comes with unlimited user licenses.
But you do have other options. Our integrations with Adobe and Laserfiche allow you to redact those programs and then import the redacted document into JustFOIA.
Laserfiche has an almost limitless ability to customize your redaction process. The downside? It requires a lot of configuration to make it happen. Plus, everyone who needs to redact has to have a full Laserfiche license.
Adobe Acrobat Pro has more out-of-the-box capabilities than Laserfiche but doesn’t have much in the way of custom workflows. And just like Laserfiche, you need a separate license for each person.
Take the quiz below for a personalized recommendation of which redaction software is best for your organization.
Compare JustFOIA, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Laserfiche for Redaction
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty technical abilities of each redaction software for public records.
 JustFOIA |  Adobe Acrobat Pro |  Laserfiche |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing Requirements | Redaction comes standard with JustFOIA Pro or Enterprise. No charge for additional user licenses. | Each user needs a license for Adobe Acrobat Pro. | Each user needs a full Laserfiche license. |
| Remove metadata | All metadata automatically stripped from redacted documents | “Sanitize document” to remove metadata, attached files, comments, links, etc. | Redacted text is removed from document metadata on the Text Pane. Other metadata can be removed manually. |
| Permissions | Any user with permission to edit the request can see through or edit redactions. | No users can see through the redaction. | Admins can configure who can see through redactions (until it’s exported). |
| Able to remove every instance of a certain word or phrase | Requires a custom Workflow configuration | ||
| Able to redact based on patterns (e.g., recognize and remove all Social Security Numbers, email addresses, etc.) | Requires a custom Workflow configuration | ||
| One-click auto-redaction | One-click redaction based on exemptions (Example: Configure your settings so that all email addresses, SSNs, etc. are removed with a single click) | Requires a custom Workflow configuration | |
| Redaction reasons | Can be applied automatically for all redactions, applied manually from a pre-configured list, or users can type in their own reason. | Select reasons from a pre-configured list for individual redactions | Select reasons from a pre-configured list for individual redactions. |
| Exemption Log | Can automatically create a document explaining any exemptions/redactions for each request with redaction reasons for compliance. | Requires a custom Workflow configuration | |
| Approvals | Save a draft of redactions for another user to approve before the redaction is burned in. | Requires a custom Workflow configuration | |
| File Formats | Most file formats, including Word, PDF, exported emails, etc. | Able to redact PDFs only | Any document stored in Laserfiche |
Watch JustFOIA’s Redaction Module in Action
Learn more about how to use Adobe Acrobat Pro or Laserfiche for redaction.
Already a JustFOIA client but want to enable redactions? Contact your client success specialist or fill out the form below for more information.