Which term describes the modification of data in a way that changes its original meaning?

The term that describes the modification of data in a way that changes its original meaning is best represented by data corruption. Data corruption occurs when data is altered unintentionally or maliciously, leading to a situation where the data can no longer be relied upon to accurately represent the original information. This modification can be due to various factors such as software bugs, hardware failures, or intentional tampering by a user.

Data encryption, on the other hand, refers to the process of converting data into a coded format for secure transmission and storage, ensuring that it remains confidential. It does not change the underlying meaning of the original data; rather, it protects it from unauthorized access.

Data integrity involves maintaining and assuring the accuracy and consistency of data over its lifecycle, emphasizing the importance of unaltered data in its authentic state. It is more about safeguarding the data's correctness rather than altering its meaning.

Data leakage refers to the unintended exposure or release of confidential information, often caused by security breaches or human error. While it deals with the unauthorized dissemination of data, it does not inherently involve a change to the data’s actual meaning.

Thus, data corruption is indeed the most fitting term for the scenario described, as it directly relates to the alteration of data in a manner that