How to uncover blacked out text?
I sent some pictures to a journalist to report something I thought was noteworthy. However, one of the images contained my date of birth and other personal information so I blacked it out using markup tools in the Photos app of my iPhone 6 (running iOS 10.3.2). Then, I took a screenshot, then sent the screenshot from my phone to my email account, then downloaded the image to my laptop. Then, I sent that image from my desktop to the journalist.
So, let's say this was the edited original picture (it's in JPEG format because when I sent it from my iPhone via iCloud mail to my other email address then downloaded it on to my laptop from that other email address, it downloaded in JPEG, but the screenshot downloaded as a PNG):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BylJxh-1HrrkQUFqWXprbHhNVUU/view?usp=sharing
This is the screenshot (PNG format): Using whatever technique you want, is there any way possible to see what is under the blacked out parts in the screenshot, because that was what I actually then sent to the journalist. Thank you for your help! PS - The images above are examples and not the actual thing I sent! It just says "LALALALALA BATMAN!"
The answer to the question - how to uncover blacked out text is that it's not safe to use Markup's pencil or marker tools for redaction because they are not opaque. (Even if you use the opacity slider at its max setting.) If you search "iOS markup redaction" you'll probably see PSA: iOS Markup is not designed to be a redaction tool for sensitive information. That article recommends against using the pen tool, even though they say it is opaque, because it's hard to completely write over text with such small lines. However I wouldn't be shocked if the pen tool was semi-transparent in other iOS versions.
I suggest importing the image in GIMP, manipulating it, then exporting in JPEG or PNG format. The fool proof method would be to use the rectangle selection box, press delete, and fill (without deselecting) the same space black. Flood filling the space in with black doesn't redact anything more than what the deletion deletion did. Changing the colour to black is just for the recipient's benefit. (Make the redactions more obvious.) I would not rely on the flood fill alone on the off chance that I accidentally use the wrong tool settings.
Importing the image into GIMP probably does the same thing as what you want taking a screenshot of the marked-up image to do. (Strip the original metadata and history from the photo.) If you're paranoid you might worry about proprietary image editors embedding watermarks or steganographic information. (Or even if they're not paranoid you may worry about them unintentionally leaking some information in an exported image.) If you feel safe using MS Paint or Photoshop then you may use them instead. Or even Markup. The article I linked to says It is possible to add a rectangle shape with a solid colour. Tap the +, select Square, position, and then tap the options button and change the style from outline to a filled in shape. This works fine, and not susceptible to the marker transparency issues, although it is quite buried in the interface. I would not trust a different smartphone app. The risks outweigh any convenience. even if it's not a huge problem if redacted data is leaked. Remember to make the rectangle a few pixels larger than the text itself, especially if it's a JPEG.
Answer (1)
Uncovering blacked-out text (also known as redacted text) is generally not recommended or ethical if the text was intentionally redacted to protect sensitive information. Attempting to do so may violate privacy laws, confidentiality agreements, or ethical guidelines. However, if you have a legitimate reason to access the redacted information (such as having the necessary permissions or ownership), here are some potential methods that might help, depending on the context:
1. Digital Images (Photos, PDFs, etc.)
If the text is blacked out in an image or PDF:
Original Document: Obtain the original, unredacted version of the document, if possible.
Layer Removal (PDF): Sometimes, PDFs have layers, and the redaction might be on a separate layer. Using a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can attempt to remove or hide layers to see the underlying text.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition): Use OCR software to extract text from the document. This can sometimes reveal hidden text beneath blacked-out sections, especially if the redaction was done poorly.
Editing Software: Use image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP to try and manipulate the image. This might involve adjusting brightness/contrast, or trying to see if the blacked-out text is partially visible.
2. Digital Text (Word Processors, Text Files)
If the text is blacked out in a word processor or text file:
Copy and Paste: Sometimes, blacked-out text can be copied and pasted into another document or text editor, revealing the underlying text.
Styles and Formatting: Check the text's formatting. Sometimes, text is blacked out by changing the font color to black. Changing the text color might reveal the text.
Version History: Use the version history feature in your word processor (like Google Docs or Microsoft Word) to revert to a previous version before the text was redacted.
3. Web Pages
If the text is blacked out on a web page:
Inspect Element: Use the browser's developer tools (usually accessed by right-clicking the page and selecting "Inspect" or "Inspect Element"). Look at the HTML and CSS to see if the text is simply hidden using CSS styles.
Copy and Paste: Try copying the text and pasting it into a text editor. Sometimes the text will be copied even if it is visually hidden.
4. Physical Documents
If the text is blacked out in a physical document:
Backlighting: Place the document against a bright light source to see if you can make out the text through the redaction.
Scanning: Scan the document with a high-resolution scanner and use image editing software to adjust brightness/contrast.
Manual Redaction Removal: If the redaction is done with a marker or tape, you might attempt to remove it carefully, but this can damage the document and is not advisable for sensitive information.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Always ensure you have the right to access the redacted information. Unauthorized access to redacted or sensitive information can lead to legal consequences and breaches of trust.
Permissions: Obtain permission from the document owner or relevant authority before attempting to uncover redacted text.
Purpose: Ensure that uncovering the text serves a legitimate purpose and does not violate privacy or confidentiality agreements.
Alternatives: If you need access to the information, consider asking the document owner for an unredacted version or further clarification.
In conclusion, while there are technical methods to attempt to uncover blacked-out text, it is crucial to consider the ethical and legal implications before doing so. Always prioritize obtaining proper authorization and ensuring your actions are justified and lawful.