Dataeierne

Dataeierne is a term used in discussions of data packaging and provenance to describe self-contained data capsules designed for portable, verifiable datasets. The concept emphasizes reproducibility, provenance, and long-term integrity. The name evokes the image of a sealed, easily transportable container, combining data with a metaphor of eggs to suggest reliability and cradle-like security.

A Dataeierne typically consists of three elements: the data payload, a manifest that records version, source, and dependencies, and a tamper-evident seal such as a cryptographic hash tree or digital signature. Some designs also include a lightweight index for discovery and optional governance metadata to describe access rules, retention policies, and preservation context.

In practice, Dataeierne are proposed as a pattern for archiving, reproducible research, and supply-chain transparency. They enable datasets to be moved between storage solutions while preserving provenance and integrity guarantees, and they aim to reduce reliance on external systems for verification by carrying the cryptographic seal with the payload. They are distinct from plain archives because the container itself carries verifiable provenance.

History and status: The concept emerged in late 2010s to early 2020s discussions around data packaging and digital preservation, often as a theoretical model or design pattern. While related ideas appear in BagIt-style packaging, content-addressable storage, and provenance frameworks, Dataeierne has no universally adopted standard or implementation.

See also: Digital preservation, Data packaging, Content-addressable storage, Provenance, Verifiable computing.