How to Persistently Blur Sensitive Text in Screencasts and Live Streams with ZeroBlur
Keep Sensitive Information Hidden During Screen Sharing and Streaming
Why You Need to Hide Text During Screen Sharing and Streaming
When recording a screencast or sharing your screen in a live stream, private information can unintentionally become visible. Names, emails, user IDs, and other identifiers often appear in applications, dashboards, and web pages, posing a privacy risk. Whether you're presenting in a professional setting, recording tutorial videos, or live streaming software demos, it's crucial to blur sensitive text persistently to prevent accidental data leaks.
This guide will show you how to automatically hide text using ZeroBlur — a free Chrome extension that makes blurring names, IDs, and other text persistent across recordings and screen shares.
The Problem with Manual Blurring Tools
Many screen recording tools and streaming software (like OBS Studio, Camtasia, or Loom) offer post-processing or manual blur effects. However, these methods have drawbacks:
Inconsistent Coverage – You must manually apply blur to each frame, which can be time-consuming.
Human Error – Forgetting to blur a single frame could expose sensitive information.
No Live Protection – If you’re live streaming, traditional blurring tools won’t help until after the fact.
Using ZeroBlur, you can ensure that private text stays hidden automatically and persistently, even during live sessions.
What is ZeroBlur?
ZeroBlur is a free and lightweight Chrome extension that allows you to blur text dynamically on web pages without modifying the original content. Unlike screenshot or video editing tools, ZeroBlur operates in real-time, making it perfect for:
Screen recording (tutorials, software demos, etc.)
Live streaming (webinars, Twitch, YouTube Live, etc.)
Presentations (Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
Key Features of ZeroBlur:
Persistent Blurring – Once applied, the blur remains even if the page is refreshed.
Custom Text Selection – Choose exactly what text or elements to blur.
Automatic Recognition – Automatically blur emails, usernames, and other sensitive information.
Live Stream Compatible – Works in Chrome during live presentations and recordings.
How to Use ZeroBlur to Hide Identifiers and Private Information
Step 1: Install ZeroBlur
Go to the ZeroBlur Chrome Web Store page and click Add to Chrome.
Once installed, click on the extension icon in your toolbar to activate it.
Step 2: Select Text to Blur
Navigate to the web page or app you want to record or share.
Click the ZeroBlur extension icon.
Use the cursor to select text elements (e.g., names, emails, user IDs) that should be blurred.
Adjust the blur intensity as needed.
Step 3: Lock the Blur for Persistent Protection
Enable "Persistent Mode" so the selected text remains blurred across page reloads and during screen sharing.
If needed, add custom rules to automatically blur common elements (e.g., all email addresses or phone numbers).
Step 4: Record or Share Your Screen Safely
Once ZeroBlur is active, your sensitive information will stay blurred while you:
Record a screencast using Loom, OBS Studio, or any other tool.
Live stream on Twitch, YouTube, or other platforms.
Present in meetings on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.
Who Can Benefit from ZeroBlur?
Content Creators & Streamers – Protect personal information when streaming or recording tutorials.
Privacy-Conscious Professionals – Ensure sensitive data is hidden in webinars or virtual meetings.
Educators & Trainers – Blur student names and other confidential details in LMS platforms.
Developers & IT Professionals – Hide API keys, user data, and other sensitive info in software demos.
SEO-Optimized FAQs
1. How do I blur private information while screen sharing?
Use ZeroBlur, a free Chrome extension that applies persistent blur to text on web pages. This ensures sensitive information is hidden during screen recordings and live streams.
2. Can I automatically hide emails, usernames, and IDs in screencasts?
Yes! ZeroBlur allows you to automatically blur sensitive identifiers, such as emails and usernames, without modifying the original content.
3. What’s the best way to hide private text during live streaming?
Traditional post-processing tools don’t work for live streams, but ZeroBlur blurs text in real-time, making it ideal for live YouTube, Twitch, and webinar sessions.
4. Will ZeroBlur keep text hidden after refreshing the page?
Yes. ZeroBlur’s Persistent Mode ensures that text remains blurred even after page reloads.
5. Is ZeroBlur free?
Yes! ZeroBlur is a free Chrome extension that helps you hide sensitive text when recording or sharing your screen.
Conclusion
When sharing your screen during a live stream or recording a screencast, privacy matters. Instead of relying on post-editing or manual blurring, ZeroBlur ensures persistent protection by dynamically hiding names, emails, and other identifiers in real-time.
Install ZeroBlur today and keep your private data safe while recording or presenting!