Short Definition
A set of rules and conventions for data exchange or communication between devices or systems, ensuring that they can work together effectively.
Relevance
Protocols set the rules for how systems, from digital platforms to physical spaces, operate and interact. In tech-informed environments, they define power structures by controlling access to data, tools, and resources. Grasping how protocols function is vital, as they influence how people navigate both technological systems and community settings, making them central to understanding control and participation in tech-driven contexts.