Definition ∞ Deduplication is a data compression technique that identifies and eliminates redundant copies of data, storing only unique instances. This process optimizes storage space and reduces bandwidth requirements by replacing duplicate data with pointers to a single stored copy. While not directly a blockchain primitive, it can be applied to data stored off-chain or in decentralized storage solutions.
Context ∞ In the realm of decentralized storage networks, deduplication can significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs for users storing large volumes of data. News might cover new storage protocols that implement advanced deduplication techniques to compete with centralized cloud providers. The ability to efficiently manage and store data is a relevant factor for projects aiming to build scalable and cost-effective data solutions for the Web3 ecosystem.