What is a Timestamp?

A timestamp is the digital proof that objectively enables to detect the creation time of certain data.

To get a timestamp, the party that is interested in proving the creation time of the data, sends a cryptographic code to the timestamping service provider (TSP). Finding two data collections with a similar cryptographic code needs tremendous computing power, unavailable to any modern computer or computer network. The service provider returns a digitally signed proof that proves the existence of the said data collection. Since the timestamping authority sees only a cryptographic code, the confidentiality of the data is retained.

The following animation demonstrates the procedures of adding and using a timestamp.