RapidRedact helps MoD to release UFO “X-Files” to The National Archives
Redaction software enables rapid removal of non-discloseable information
London, 16 September 2008 – The Ministry of Defence has released the first in a series of UFO “X-Files” to The National Archives, with the help of information RapidRedact software from Redacta, supplied through Bramble.cc.
Thousands of pages relating to alleged UFO sightings are being declassified and released, and RapidRedact software is being used to redact information exempted under the Data Protection Act. The time saved in streamlining and automating the redaction process has meant that the MoD have been able to release the “X-Files” earlier than would have been possible with a manual approach.
The MoD has been overwhelmed by a deluge of Freedom of Information requests relating to the alleged UFO sightings. This eventually led to the decision to transfer the collection of documents from Whitehall to The National Archives at Kew. The MoD decided it needed to streamline the redaction process, and selected Redacta’s RapidRedact through Bramble.cc to electronically redact non-discloseable information from the electronic files.
Previously Defence Intelligence staff had to print out all relevant documents, then manually use a scalpel to physically remove names and addresses of individuals, then photocopy those documents for release. This process was highly time-consuming, and wasted a great deal of paper. RapidRedact can be used with any electronic format document, including scanned documents and images and is far more time and cost efficient than manual redaction.
The first collection of UFO documents released to The National Archives consisted of more than 3,000 pages, and it is estimated that altogether more than 50,000 pages in total will be released. Each file has a minimum of 200 pages, with some files containing more than 900 pages. With a greater emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint in government departments, the RapidRedact project has been an ideal example of sustainability in action.
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Find out more about the MOD UFO “X-Files” at the following websites: