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Unredacted Epstein files remain online days after US officials alerted
Images and videos showing nudity and identifying details of Jeffrey Epstein's victims have circulated online for days, despite warnings to US authorities about redaction failures that lawyers call "irreparable" harm.
Scope of the breach
BBC Verify reviewed documents among thousands flagged by lawyers as containing unredacted personal information of dozens of Epstein's victims. The issue surfaced over the weekend after The New York Times reported nearly 40 images were published in the latest release of Epstein case files last Friday.
On Tuesday, a New York judge announced the Department of Justice (DoJ) had agreed to address the problem swiftly following demands from victims to take the website offline until proper redactions were completed.
Government response and ongoing leaks
The DoJ removed thousands of documents from its site, attributing the upload to "technical or human error." The department stated it was still reviewing new requests and checking for additional files requiring redaction.
Despite these assurances, BBC Verify found multiple identifiable images still online Wednesday-one day after the US government claimed it was resolving incomplete redactions. The DoJ has been contacted for comment and provided with names of unredacted files.
Victims speak out
"The damage done is irreparable."
Brad Edwards, victims' attorney
Ashley Rubright, a survivor of Epstein's abuse, told the BBC: "I'm heartbroken for the girls whose information was released. That's such a huge violation of one of the most horrible moments of their lives."
Four images identified by BBC Verify depicted partially clothed young females with faces and bodies fully visible. These were discovered during a broader search of millions of files released as evidence of Epstein's connections to public figures.
Inconsistent redactions and overlooked details
Some documents contained the same image twice-once with a face obscured by a black square and once fully visible. Another video showed an individual lifting her shirt and exposing her breast.
DoJ officials were tasked with redacting all sexually explicit material and identifying information before the latest batch of Epstein files was published during the Christmas period. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche previously stated the files would not meet the congressional deadline due to the extensive work required to protect victims' identities.
"We are looking at every single piece of paper... making sure every victim-their name, their identity, their story-is completely protected."
Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General
Medical and legal records also exposed
BBC Verify uncovered additional breaches, including full names revealed in medical records and legal statements. One document contained two videos of foetal ultrasound scans, displaying the time, date, apparent location, and gestational age. Another file included a recording of Epstein being questioned, during which a lawyer mentioned a victim's name.
Lawyers condemn DoJ's handling
Attorneys representing Epstein's victims have sharply criticized the DoJ for failing to safeguard hundreds of women identified in the files.
"We are getting constant calls from victims because their names-despite them never coming forward, being completely unknown to the public-have all just been released for public consumption. It's literally thousands of mistakes."
Brad Edwards, victims' attorney
What's next
BBC Verify continues to investigate the extent of the redaction failures and their impact on victims. The DoJ has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest findings.
