Python bitwise operators are special tools that allow you to perform operations directly on the binary representations of integers. These operators manipulate individual bits, enabling low-level data handling essential for tasks like compression, encryption, and error detection. Python includes several bitwise operators, such as AND, OR, XOR, NOT, and shift operators, each serving a unique purpose. Understanding these operators is crucial for optimizing performance in applications that require efficient data manipulation. By leveraging bitwise operations, developers can achieve more granular control over data, making them a powerful addition to any programmer’s toolkit.