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The Power of In-Platform Redactions: Reveal’s Acquisition of Blackout’s Source Code

Brendan Locke
November 13, 2024

5 min read

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Protecting sensitive information—especially personally identifiable information (PII)—is more crucial and complex than ever. Traditional redaction methods often rely on dated or manual processes, which can lead to integration issues, slower workflows, and increased costs. As was recently announced, Reveal has acquired the source code to Milyli’s Blackout and is embedding Blackout’s powerful redaction capabilities directly into its platform. By eliminating the need for external tools, Reveal offers a seamless, efficient, and highly secure solution for automated redaction, built to handle the demands of modern compliance and privacy regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. This in-platform approach not only enhances user experience but also provides legal and compliance teams with a scalable, AI-ready foundation for managing redactions faster, more accurately, and with confidence.

Why In-Platform Redaction Matters in eDiscovery

Redaction—particularly of sensitive, personally identifiable information (PII)—has traditionally depended on highly manual processes or third-party tools that can introduce integration challenges, slower processing times, and added costs. By embedding Blackout’s redaction capabilities into its platform, Reveal eliminates third-party dependencies, delivering a cohesive, stable experience for end-users and allows for frictionless automated redactions. This integration means Reveal can respond faster to user needs, optimize redaction processes directly within its platform, and lay the groundwork for the next generation of AI-driven redaction capabilities.

Enhanced Privacy, Compliance, and Data Protection

With the ability to use its own resources to integrate Blackout’s capabilities into its platform, Reveal will be better equipped to support users facing stringent privacy regulations and data protection requirements. The enhanced stability and scalability will allow Reveal to securely manage large volumes of sensitive information, such as PII, financial details, and confidential records, at speed and scale. This provides legal teams, corporate compliance officers, and other professionals with the tools they need to reduce exposure risks and streamline compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA.

With a predictable, automated redaction process built into Reveal’s platform, the risk of errors that could lead to data breaches or penalties gets minimized. Users gain peace of mind knowing their sensitive information is handled with precision and consistency, ensuring compliance with a wide array of privacy laws.

Streamlined User Experience and Workflow Efficiency

One of the primary benefits of this acquisition is a more seamless and efficient user experience. Moving away from reliance on third-party redaction tools means shorter development cycles, faster processing times, and a more predictable, cohesive experience within Reveal’s platform. Legal teams, IT departments, and compliance officers can rely on Reveal’s in-house redaction to improve productivity and reduce the bottlenecks caused by manual processes.

By automating traditionally time-consuming redaction tasks, Reveal’s integration of Blackout will enable users to complete projects more quickly, with reduced human error and less manual oversight. This integration will be especially valuable for large-scale eDiscovery projects, where the ability to redact data accurately and swiftly is critical.

AI-Powered Redaction: The Future with Blackout

Looking to the future, Reveal plans to leverage the Blackout source code to build advanced AI-driven redaction capabilities. Soon, Reveal users will benefit from AI-enhanced features that automatically detect sensitive data, allowing for faster, more accurate redaction without the need for extensive manual intervention. With AI identifying sensitive information, such as names, Social Security numbers, and financial identifiers, legal and compliance teams will gain a new level of precision in data protection.

Reveal is also exploring generative AI and customizable entity models to detect and redact sensitive information within native files automatically. This will allow users to tailor redaction criteria to suit unique compliance and regulatory requirements, reinforcing Reveal’s position as the primary AI-first platform for the next generation of eDiscovery.

Use Cases Across Industries

The advantages of Reveal’s enhanced redaction capabilities extend across industries. Here are just a few ways this acquisition will impact different sectors:

  • Finance: Banks and financial institutions handle sensitive client information, making robust redaction essential for regulatory compliance and data security. Reveal’s in-house solution ensures high-speed, dependable redaction to meet industry needs.
  • Healthcare: For organizations bound by HIPAA and other data protection laws, Reveal’s integration provides the stability and scalability needed to redact protected health information (PHI) securely.
  • Government: Agencies managing FOIA and public records requests benefit from Blackout’s speed and efficiency, ensuring sensitive information is redacted accurately and swiftly.
  • Legal: Law firms, litigation support providers, and legal departments can rely on a stable, predictable redaction process that enhances speed and consistency, critical for high-volume eDiscovery projects.

Competitive Advantage: Staying Ahead with Reveal

Reveal’s acquisition of Blackout’s source code offers a significant competitive edge, underscoring its dedication to innovation and long-term platform growth. By seamlessly integrating Blackout's automated redaction functionality, Reveal offers greater customization, stability, and control than platforms that rely on external integrations. This acquisition signals Reveal’s continued investment in providing an adaptable, forward-thinking platform that evolves with the needs of modern compliance and legal teams.

Conclusion: Transforming Redaction in eDiscovery

The acquisition of Blackout’s source code marks a pivotal step in Reveal’s journey toward providing a fully integrated, high-speed redaction solution that meets the demands of today’s complex regulatory environment. By bringing this critical technology in-house, Reveal offers users a faster, more secure, and scalable redaction experience while setting the stage for future AI-driven advancements.

Reveal’s enhanced redaction capabilities will empower organizations to handle sensitive data confidently, ensuring compliance, protecting privacy, and driving efficiency across every eDiscovery project. To see Reveal in action, please go here to book a demo with a Blackout expert. Stay tuned for future developments and innovations from Reveal.

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