What effect does obsolescence have on digital records?

Obsolescence has a significant impact on digital records primarily by complicating access and usability. As technology evolves, software and hardware that once supported digital records may no longer be available or compatible with current systems. This means that digital records stored in obsolete formats may become increasingly difficult to access, requiring specialized tools or knowledge to retrieve or read the data.

Additionally, as the infrastructure that supports these records becomes outdated, organizations may face challenges in maintaining the necessary environment to access their digital archives. This can lead to potential loss of information if records cannot be migrated or converted to current formats. Thus, the complications arising from obsolescence directly affect how usable and accessible digital records remain over time, underscoring the importance of proactive digital preservation strategies to mitigate these issues.