# Epistemic Asymmetry Epistemic asymmetry is the unequal ability of different parties to know, prove, or obtain records about the same event. ## Distinction from observability asymmetry [[Observability Asymmetry]] concerns different technical views of system state. Epistemic asymmetry is broader: the party with the most complete administrative or documentary record may also control whether it is retained, disclosed, or interpreted. ## Archival consequence Mark which party holds each decisive record and whether the archive has direct access, a copy, a description, or only an inference. Absence from the archive must not be presented as proof that the record does not exist. ## Source [[Index - Stages of Interception#Stage 15 — Governance, assurance, and evidentiary standing|Stage 15]] · [[Authorization Gap]].