How C2PA and Blockchain Technology Preserve Human History

Introduction

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“Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana

Historical preservation is the embodiment of our collective memory, encompassing the significant events, pivotal moments, and influential figures that have shaped our world. It involves diligent documentation, careful conservation, and respectful commemoration of the past, ensuring that the stories of our ancestors continue to inform and inspire future generations. By safeguarding these historical treasures, we maintain a vital connection to our roots, enrich our understanding of societal evolution, and honor the enduring legacy of those who came before us. Preserving history is not merely an academic endeavor but a profound act of cultural stewardship, reinforcing our shared identity and guiding our path forward.

Historical preservation is more important than ever in the digital age. With the rise of AI and digital manipulation, technologies like C2PA and blockchain are key to ensuring the authenticity of our digital records. This article explores how these technologies are preserving history for future generations, exemplified by projects like Numbers Protocol.

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How Numbers Archive Uses Blockchain to Preserve Digital History

The Numbers Archive Project is an endeavor aimed at capturing and storing significant news events each year. Utilizing blockchain technology, the project ensures that each piece of content is authentic, tamper-proof, and accessible over time. The Numbers Archive 2023, for instance, documents impactful news across various categories such as Planet, Politics, Society, Economy, People, Tech, and Creativity. Each entry includes an article, a featured image, and a video, all preserved on the decentralized IPFS archive and verified through the Numbers network.

The Numbers Archive is more than a repository; it's a digital time capsule that guarantees the preservation of pivotal moments free from censorship and manipulation. The addition of the "Capture Eye" icon in 2023, which provides on-chain proof of authenticity directly on the page, exemplifies how provenance technology enhances transparency and trust.

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How Blockchain Secures Evidence in War Crime Investigations

The utility of blockchain in preserving digital evidence is vividly illustrated by Starling Lab's submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding potential war crimes in Ukraine. By leveraging blockchain technology, Starling Lab was able to preserve and verify online information that could serve as crucial evidence. This method ensures that digital content, such as social media posts and images, remains unaltered and verifiable over time.

Starling Lab's approach includes archiving posts and metadata, creating cryptographic hashes, and registering this information on multiple blockchains. This creates an immutable chain of evidence that can withstand tampering, providing a robust foundation for legal proceedings. The collaboration between Starling Lab, the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, and Hala Systems underscores the potential of blockchain to enhance the integrity of digital evidence in conflict zones.

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How Numbers Protocol and Partners Use Blockchain for Historical Preservation

Numbers Protocol has been at the forefront of integrating blockchain with C2PA standards to safeguard digital assets. In partnership with Starling Lab and media outlets like Rolling Stone, Numbers Protocol has demonstrated the practical application of these technologies in investigating war crimes. The project "The DJ and the War Crimes," which documents crimes committed by Arkan’s Tigers in Serbia, showcases how cryptographic verification can authenticate historical records.

Moreover, Numbers Protocol's collaboration with Reuters in 2020 to archive the presidential election and transition, and their presentation of the world's first Web3 evidence of war crimes in Ukraine in 2022, highlight the protocol's commitment to preserving digital history. By ensuring the authenticity of digital content through C2PA standards and the unique Numbers ID (Nid), Numbers Protocol is setting new benchmarks in digital preservation.

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The Future of Preserving Human History with Blockchain and C2PA

As we move forward, the integration of C2PA and blockchain technology will continue to play a crucial role in documenting and preserving human history. Initiatives like the Numbers Archive and collaborative efforts with organizations like Starling Lab and Rolling Stone provide a blueprint for how technology can be harnessed to protect the integrity of our digital records.

In conclusion, the marriage of C2PA and blockchain technology is revolutionizing the way we preserve human history. In an age where misinformation and digital manipulation are rampant, these technologies offer a glimmer of hope for a future where truth and transparency prevail.

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Read more about Provenance, C2PA and Numbers Protocol

Learn more about how Numbers Protocol and blockchain technology ensure the authenticity and preservation of digital content. Explore our tech series to discover more about how we safeguard human history and fight misinformation :

Part 1: What is Provenance and why we need it

Part 2: What is C2PA, Add C2PA easily with Capture

Part 3: Take True Photo with C2PA Watermark from Mobile Phones

Part 4 : Add C2PA easily with Capture API

Part 5 : C2PA for Music and Video Platforms with Capture API

Part 6 : How Generative AI Companies Can Use C2PA with Capture API – Part 1

Part 7 : Integrating C2PA with Numbers Protocol for Generative AI – Part 2

Part 8 : Verify and Browse Content Information

Part 9 : How Numbers Protocol Enhances C2PA with a Sustainable Blockchain Solution

Part 10 : How C2PA and Blockchain Verify Election News and Combat Misinformation

Part 11 : You are here

Part 12 : How to Secure C2PA-Signed Content with Blockchain Proof: Simple Guide

Part 13 : How Numbers Mainnet Offers a Sustainable, Secure, and Inclusive Blockchain Solution