YouTube offers tool for blurring faces, though anonymity not guaranteed

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – YouTube is offering people a way to blur faces in submitted video.

The new tool is designed for human-rights activists and others who may want to protect people in a video. Simply blur faces using the tool before submitting it. It will appear among the “Additional features” under editing enhancements when it’s available late Wednesday.

Google Inc., which owns YouTube, is warning that blurring faces by itself may not guarantee anonymity. Background scenery or a license plate might give away someone’s identity, as might a recognizable voice. The software also might miss a face or two, though people will have a chance to review the blurring before submitting it.

YouTube says the feature “allows people to share personal footage more widely and to speak out when they otherwise may not.”

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Online:

Instructions: http://bit.ly/Q7nIag

Blog post: http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2012/07/face-blurring-when-footage-requires.html