Antiremoval

Antiremoval is a term used to describe actions, policies, or mechanisms designed to prevent the removal or deletion of a person, object, or policy. The term is formed from anti- and removal and is used across different domains to describe resistance to removal rather than the act of removing itself. In technology, antiremoval refers to features intended to deter or block uninstallation, tampering, or other forms of removal of software, data, or devices. Such mechanisms may be part of digital rights management, enterprise security suites, or device-management systems and can involve tamper-resistant code, protected services, or administrative controls. Debates around technological antiremoval focus on user autonomy, security, and privacy, with concerns that excessive protection can resemble malware or hinder legitimate maintenance.

In environmental and cultural contexts, antiremoval describes efforts to prevent the removal of habitats, landmarks, or communities. This includes preservation laws, urban planning protections, and activist campaigns aimed at stopping demolitions, evictions, or the deselection of heritage sites. Proponents argue that antiremoval helps safeguard identity, sustainability, and history, while opponents may view it as obstructive to development or housing mobility.

Legal and policy discussions frame antiremoval in terms of rights, proportionality, and governance. The term is often used descriptively in scholarly analysis rather than as a formal doctrine. See also: anti-uninstallation, DRM, preservation, eviction resistance.