antimodification

Antimodification is a term used across several disciplines to describe actions, mechanisms, or policies that aim to prevent, restrict, or reverse changes to a given object, system, or record. The concept is applied to preserve integrity, stability, or original function, and its exact meaning varies by context, including data, hardware, licensing, and biology.

In information technology and data management, antimodification refers to techniques that prevent or prove alterations to data or software. Examples include immutable logs, write-once storage, cryptographic signatures, and end-to-end integrity checks. These measures support authenticity, traceability, and resistance to unauthorized edits.

In licensing and security, antimodification covers policies and mechanisms that restrict modifying software or devices. Anti-modification clauses in licenses address reverse engineering and unauthorized alterations; hardware anti-tamper features, seals, and secure enclaves deter tampering. Regulatory or organizational controls may require immutability for records and critical configurations.

In biology and public policy, antimodification can denote efforts to resist genetic modification or to regulate modifications to organisms. The term is not standardized, and implementations vary. Debates often weigh security and safety against innovation and freedom of operation, highlighting trade-offs between protection of integrity and the benefits of modification.