Covering a face can protect a child, patient, customer, witness, bystander, or anyone who did not agree to have their image published. The goal is not merely to make the face less noticeable—it is to remove enough identifying detail from the copy you share.
You can redact faces with Redact Sensitive Info entirely in your browser. The editor does not upload the photo, and the finished PNG does not retain the source file’s EXIF or GPS metadata.
How to redact a face
- Load the photo by choosing a file, dragging it in, pasting it, or entering an image URL.
- Enable box mode with B.
- Draw a solid box over the complete face. Include the forehead, ears, jawline, and hairline when those features could identify the person.
- Repeat for every face, including people in the distance and faces visible in reflections.
- Download the new PNG and inspect the exported file at full resolution.
The tool burns each box into the pixels of the downloaded image. There is no hidden face layer underneath the redaction.
Look for faces outside the main subject
Group photos and busy backgrounds are easy to underestimate. Check:
- People behind the main subject
- Faces in mirrors, windows, glasses, and screens
- Printed photos, badges, posters, and video thumbnails
- Drivers and passengers visible through vehicle windows
- Small faces that become clear when the image is enlarged
Also consider non-facial identifiers. Clothing logos, tattoos, name badges, vehicle plates, school uniforms, and a distinctive location can reveal identity even after the face is covered.
Is blurring a face enough?
Strong blur may be appropriate when anonymity is low-risk and visual appearance matters. But blur preserves a modified pattern, and weak settings often leave facial structure recognizable. Automatic social-media compression can also change how effective the blur looks.
Solid redaction is the conservative choice for sensitive situations. It makes the removal obvious and replaces the covered pixels rather than disguising them.
Keep the original separate
Redaction creates a safe sharing copy; it does not alter the original photo stored on your phone or computer. Give the downloaded file a clear name and verify that it is the one selected when you post, email, or message it.
If the image also includes a vehicle or identifying background, use the license plate redaction checklist and the broader guide to redacting a photo online.