Immutability refers to the property of being unchanging or unmodifiable. In the context of blockchain technology, immutability means that once data is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted. This is due to the cryptographic hash function that is used to create a unique digital fingerprint, or hash, of each block in the chain. Any alteration to the data in a block would change the hash, which would be immediately apparent and detected by the network.
Immutability is one of the fundamental characteristics of blockchain technology, and it provides several benefits such as increased transparency, security, and trust in the system. Because data cannot be altered, it becomes difficult to manipulate or corrupt, and the entire network can be more easily audited and verified.
Examples of how immutability is used in blockchain include recording financial transactions, supply chain management, digital identity management, and voting systems. In each case, the immutability of the blockchain ensures that the integrity and authenticity of the data is preserved.