obfuscate
to make something less clear and harder to understand, especially intentionally:
- She was criticized for using arguments that obfuscated the main issue.
- Companies deliberately obfuscate figures in complicated annual reports.
- Instead of concealing or obfuscating, the doctors involved admitted their fault and launched an investigation.
to put false or confusing information on the internet, especially using special software, in order to stop search engines being able to collect information about you:
- You can confuse web trackers by obfuscating your movements online.
- The browser extension is designed to obfuscate browsing data and protect users from tracking by advertising networks.
to create computer code (= instructions used to program computers) that is difficult for humans to understand, in order to reduce the code size and hide it from other people:
- Much source code encryption software obfuscates the code.
- Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed.