Lossy compression - GCSE Computer Science Definition

Lossy compression is a way of reducing the size of a file, like a photo, video, or sound file, by removing some of the details that aren't super important for most people. When a file is compressed using this method, it takes up less space on your computer or phone and can be sent over the internet more quickly. However, because some information is lost in the process, the quality of the file might not be as high as the original. This type of compression is often used when it’s more important for the file to be smaller and faster to use, even if it means the quality might not be perfect. Examples of lossy compression formats include JPEG for images, MP3 for music, and MP4 for videos.