---
title: "Discussion on \"Why a black box drawn on a PDF does not remove the text under it\" | Hashnode"
description: "Discussion on \"Why a black box drawn on a PDF does not remove the text under it\". A PDF page is a list of drawing instructions. Text is placed with one set of operators, rectangles are filled with another, and the viewer paints them in order. When someone draws a black rectangle ov"
url: "https://hashnode.com/posts/why-a-black-box-drawn-on-a-pdf-does-not-remove-the-text-under-it/6af49aef2c7eb8fc5d3d2d52"
---

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# [Why a black box drawn on a PDF does not remove the text under it](https://redactic.hashnode.dev/why-a-black-box-drawn-on-a-pdf-does-not-remove-the-text-under-it?utm_source=hashnode&utm_medium=feed)

A PDF page is a list of drawing instructions. Text is placed with one set of operators, rectangles are filled with another, and the viewer paints them in order. When someone draws a black rectangle ov

9h ago · 3 min read · redactic.hashnode.dev  
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-   [#privacy](https://hashnode.com/tag/privacy)
-   [#pdf](https://hashnode.com/tag/pdf)
-   [#gdpr](https://hashnode.com/tag/gdpr)
-   [#security](https://hashnode.com/tag/security)

## Written by

[Redactic](https://hashnode.com/@redactic)

@redactic

  
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Redaction and masking for PDF, Word, Excel and scanned documents.

Redactic removes names, IBANs and other personal data from PDF, Word, Excel and scanned documents, and masks them for AI. Notes on redaction from the team at redactic.eu.

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