Frequently asked questions

Metadata is data about a file that you do not see directly: the author, the organisation, comments, tracked changes, earlier versions, the printer, folders on your computer and, for photos, the GPS location. When you share or publish a file, that data goes along. Names of staff or internal considerations that were never meant for publication can get out that way.

Yes. Many redaction mistakes happen because a black bar is only placed over the text, while the text underneath can still be copied. Verilak turns a redacted page into an image, so nothing is left under the box. A separate check then searches whether the redacted text still appears anywhere in the file. After that, Verilak makes the text around the box searchable again with OCR.

Yes. Verilak runs entirely on your own workstation. No account, no cloud and no connection to the supplier is needed. Every file is processed in a separate, isolated process without network access.

That file is blocked and reported in red, with the reason. Verilak only releases a file as clean after cleaning and an independent second check. An unknown or unsupported file never passes as clean by mistake.

Yes. Verilak always writes a new, clean copy. The original stays untouched.

Yes. When redacting, every box gets a legal ground from the Dutch Open Government Act (Woo). Verilak then makes an inventory list per case file, so you can show per document what was redacted and on what ground.

Verilak proposes to redact, among others: citizen service numbers (BSN, with the eleven test), IBAN (with check digits), email addresses, phone numbers, postcodes, licence plates, IP addresses, names, case numbers and faces in images. You can also use your own word lists. A staff member always decides on every proposal; Verilak redacts nothing without review.

Yes. Verilak converts Office and OpenDocument files to PDF, PDF/A-2b or PDF/A-3b, and can make an accessible PDF/UA. Every result is validated with veraPDF. A PDF that does not meet the standard is not delivered.

The desktop app runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and is delivered as an MSI, suitable for deployment with Intune. There is also a command line for administrators and watched folders. Versions for macOS and Linux are in development.

With a six week pilot in your own working environment. There is a playbook for the project lead, the CISO and the data protection officer. Read more on the Pilot page or email pilot@verilak.nl.