Probative Fingerprint

The right word: probative fingerprint.

In digital proof, people wrongly say "legally binding". The exact term is probative fingerprint: a timestamped, anchored SHA-256 hash that constitutes a technical — non-qualified — evidence element, verifiable by a third party.

DIRECT ANSWER

A probative fingerprint is the cryptographic digest (SHA-256) of data or a document, timestamped and anchored on a public ledger. It proves integrity and anteriority without revealing the data. It is a technical, non-qualified evidence element: it supports, but does not replace, a qualified eIDAS signature.

WHAT IT PROVES

Integrity

One bit changes → the hash changes entirely. A third party recomputes the hash and detects any alteration, without seeing the data.

Anteriority

The hash is timestamped and anchored on a public ledger. The date is fixed; history cannot be rewritten by anyone.

Why this word. "Tamper-proof", "incontestable", "legally binding" are over-promises 0DATA refuses. A probative fingerprint states exactly what the technology proves — nothing more, nothing less.

FAQ

What is a probative fingerprint?

The cryptographic digest (SHA-256) of data, timestamped and anchored on a public ledger. It proves integrity and anteriority without revealing the data, and is verified by recomputing the hash.

Probative fingerprint vs legal opposability — what is the difference?

A probative fingerprint is a technical, non-qualified evidence element: it supports integrity and anteriority. Opposability is a legal qualification no tool can guarantee on its own. Saying "opposable" would be an over-promise.

Is a SHA-256 hash enough to prove?

It is enough to prove integrity and anteriority. For regulatory value, it is reinforced with eIDAS qualified timestamping (RFC 3161) from a qualified trust provider (QTSP).