Hot-document redaction is the removal of personal data from the exhibit a case turns on. FRCP 26(b)(1) sets what is discoverable. FRCP 5.2(a) sets what may appear once the item is filed. anonym.plus keeps the passage that matters and cuts the rest.
When this applies
A hot document rarely stays in the review platform. It becomes a deposition exhibit, then an attachment to a motion. Rule 5.2(a) then applies: last four digits of an account number, a minor's initials, and the birth year only.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file in anonym.plus on your device.
- It flags names, contacts, and IDs around the key text.
- Mark the relevant passage to keep it intact.
- Confirm the flags away from the key content.
- Black out or mask each confirmed value.
- Save the clean document on your device.
What you need to provide
- The file (PDF, DOCX, email, or scan).
- An allow-list to keep the relevant key text.
- An operator; Redact for filed material.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | non-party name → [NAME] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | phone → [PHONE] |
| Identifiers | US_SSN | SSN → [SSN] |
| Account | US_BANK_NUMBER | account no. → [ACCOUNT] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | date → [DATE] |
| Location | LOCATION | address → [ADDRESS] |
Compliance achieved
- Relevance scope comes from FRCP 26(b)(1); the cut targets data, not substance.
- Once it is filed, FRCP 5.2(a) also limits identifiers on the page.
- An allow-list holds the passage that makes the exhibit matter.
- Local OCR reads a scanned exhibit, so a printed ID is caught.
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Limitations & cautions
A hot document earns close scrutiny, so cut errors are costly. Keep the relevant passage with an allow-list, and clear only PII that is not at issue. Over-clearing a key item can draw a challenge from the other side.
Frequently asked questions
The exhibit will be filed — which rule governs?
Both, at different stages. Rule 26(b)(1) decides whether it is discoverable at all. Rule 5.2(a) governs the filed page: the last four digits of a social-security, taxpayer-ID, or financial-account number, the year of birth, and a minor's initials.
How do I keep the relevant text while clearing PII?
An allow-list keeps the passage that matters to the case, while the tool clears third-party PII around it.
Can I clear a scanned item?
Yes. Local OCR reads scans, so PII in an image file is caught.