mondata

Mondata is a term encountered in discussions of data governance and in speculative fiction, used to describe a data unit or dataset that emphasizes provenance, integrity, and single-source origin. The exact definition varies by context, and there is no single formal standard for mondata across disciplines.

Concept and etymology: The name combines “mono” meaning single and “data,” signaling a dataset with a singular origin or a tightly bounded scope. In some proposals, a mondata object includes a full, immutable record of origin, transformations, and custody events.

Characteristics: A mondata record typically carries embedded provenance metadata, tamper-evident seals such as cryptographic hashes, standardized metadata schemas, and interfaces designed to preserve lineage during interoperability. The unit is designed to be auditable and reusable across systems with minimal loss of information.

Applications: In data governance, mondata concepts support regulatory reporting and compliance by providing verifiable data lineage. In scientific data management and supply-chain traceability, mondata-like units enable reproducibility and accountability, reducing ambiguity about source and handling.

Contexts and reception: In fictional or hypothetical frameworks, mondata is depicted as a cornerstone of centralized or distributed data networks that prioritize trust and transparency. In real-world usage, the term remains informal and often serves as a conceptual umbrella rather than a defined standard. Challenges include standardization of metadata, privacy constraints, performance overhead, and governance of provenance data.

See also: data provenance, data lineage, data governance, data integrity, single source of truth.