DPC Global 'Bit List' of Digital Materials
The DPC’s Global ‘Bit List’ of Endangered Digital Materials—or the Bit List—is a powerful call to action from the global digital preservation community.
The report is is reviewed and updated every two years, and highlights the digital content most at risk of being lost, based on real-world conditions and expert insight. By clearly identifying both the urgency of the threat and the value of the content, the Bit List shines a spotlight on the digital materials that demand immediate attention to ensure their survival.
COMING SOON - the Bit List 2025!
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Nominate at-risk digital materials now! The Global 'Bit List' of Endangered Digital Materials is open for nominations of at-risk material from the digital preservation community all year round. Submit a nomination now for consideration as part of the next Bit List review cycle. If you are unable to access the Google form to nominate your at-risk digital materials or you would like to prepare your information in advance, Completed Excel forms may be sent to sarah.middleton@dpconline.org. |
| Access previous versions of and introductions to the Bit List, now superceded by the current report: |
Content Types
The following Bit List entries represent content types; where the risk is caused or aggravated by the structure of the content:
Context
The following Bit List entries represent contexts; where the risk to the material connected to the context of production and use, rather than the format or media:
Sensitive Data
Click on each entry to see their full assessment report.
Subcategories
Vulnerable
Digital materials are listed as Vulnerable when the technical challenges to preservation are modest but responsibility for care is poorly understood, or where the responsible agencies are not meeting preservation needs. This classification includes Lower Risk materials in the presence of aggravating conditions.
Endangered
Digital materials are listed Endangered when they face material technical challenges to preservation or responsibility for care is poorly understood, or where the responsible agencies are poorly equipped to meet preservation needs. This classification includes Vulnerable materials in the presence of aggravating conditions.
Critically Endangered
Digital materials are listed Critically Endangered when they face material technical challenges to preservation, there are no agencies responsible for them or those agencies are unwilling or unable to meet preservation needs. This classification includes Endangered materials in the presence of aggravating conditions.
Practically Extinct
Digital materials are listed as Practically Extinct when the few known examples are inaccessible by most practical means and methods. This classification includes Critically Endangered materials in the presence of aggravating conditions.