diff --git a/scripts/publication-copy.test.mjs b/scripts/publication-copy.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c802e11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/publication-copy.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+// Copy-only regression checks for #232. These are source-contract tests,
+// not proof of rendered behavior, independent verification, or live readiness.
+import { test } from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
+
+const read = path => readFileSync(new URL(`../${path}`, import.meta.url), 'utf8');
+
+for (const path of ['src/components/ShareModal.tsx', 'src/components/publish/PublishModal.tsx']) {
+  test(`${path}: both publication states explain mutable public contents`, () => {
+    const source = read(path);
+    assert.match(source, /The public link shows the current list and can change after publication\./);
+    assert.match(source, /It does not show or verify a sealed snapshot\./);
+    assert.doesNotMatch(source, /verify who added each item|verifiable DID|with a verifiable/);
+  });
+}
+
+for (const path of ['src/pages/PublicList.tsx', 'src/components/SharedListResource.tsx']) {
+  test(`${path}: reader labels current data independently of evidence presence`, () => {
+    const source = read(path);
+    assert.match(source, /<section aria-label="Publication evidence"/);
+    assert.match(source, /Live list · not a sealed snapshot/);
+    assert.match(source, /This page shows the current list, which can change after publication\./);
+    assert.match(source, /It does not verify a sealed snapshot or who added each item\./);
+  });
+}
+
+test('publish dialog does not promise contributor names absent from its public reader', () => {
+  const source = read('src/components/publish/PublishModal.tsx');
+  assert.match(source, /can see the current list contents\. This page does not verify item authorship\./);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(source, /recorded contributor names|Contributor names will be shown/);
+});
+
+test('canonical public reader never treats proof presence or a DID as verification', () => {
+  const source = read('src/components/SharedListResource.tsx');
+  assert.doesNotMatch(source, /Cryptographically signed|Verified with/);
+  assert.match(source, /Supplied proof \(unverified\)/);
+  assert.match(source, /Declared issuer:/);
+  assert.match(source, /Identifier \(unverified\):/);
+  assert.match(source, /These supplied details have not been cryptographically verified by this page\./);
+});
diff --git a/src/components/ShareModal.tsx b/src/components/ShareModal.tsx
index a1c9ba7..6bc049a 100644
--- a/src/components/ShareModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ShareModal.tsx
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ export function ShareModal({ list, onClose }: ShareModalProps) {
         ) : (
           <>
             <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
-              Publish this list with a verifiable <code className="text-xs bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 px-1 rounded">did:webvh</code> identity.
+              Publish this list with a <code className="text-xs bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 px-1 rounded">did:webvh</code> identifier.
               Anyone with the link can read the list. Publishing does not grant editing access.
             </p>
 
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ export function ShareModal({ list, onClose }: ShareModalProps) {
                 <div>
                   <p className="font-medium">What happens when you publish</p>
                   <ul className="mt-2 text-sm space-y-1 text-amber-700 dark:text-amber-500">
-                    <li>• A verifiable DID is created for the list</li>
+                    <li>• A public resource link identifies the list</li>
                     <li>• Anyone with the link can read items</li>
                     <li>• Unpublishing ends public reading; accepted grants remain</li>
                   </ul>
@@ -290,6 +290,11 @@ export function ShareModal({ list, onClose }: ShareModalProps) {
           </>
         )}
 
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+            The public link shows the current list and can change after publication.
+            It does not show or verify a sealed snapshot.
+          </p>
+
           <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
             Removing a named grant does not stop public reading while publication is active. To end public access, unpublish the list. Accepted viewers and editors keep their private access.
           </p>
diff --git a/src/components/SharedListResource.tsx b/src/components/SharedListResource.tsx
index d1b0f25..bbefb3f 100644
--- a/src/components/SharedListResource.tsx
+++ b/src/components/SharedListResource.tsx
@@ -263,6 +263,14 @@ export function SharedListResource() {
           )}
         </div>
 
+        <section aria-label="Publication evidence" className="mb-4 p-4 bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-xl">
+          <h2 className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">Live list · not a sealed snapshot</h2>
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+            This page shows the current list, which can change after publication.
+            It does not verify a sealed snapshot or who added each item.
+          </p>
+        </section>
+
         {/* Plan limit hit when saving to favourites */}
         {bookmarkPlanLimit && (
           <div className="mb-4 p-4 bg-amber-50 dark:bg-amber-900/20 border border-amber-200 dark:border-amber-800 rounded-xl text-sm space-y-2">
@@ -368,15 +376,18 @@ export function SharedListResource() {
 
         {/* Provenance */}
         {resource.credential?.proof && (
-          <div className="mt-6 p-4 bg-green-50 dark:bg-green-900/20 rounded-xl">
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-green-700 dark:text-green-400 mb-2">
+          <div className="mt-6 p-4 bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-xl">
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 mb-2">
               <svg className="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-                <path strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round" strokeWidth={2} d="M9 12l2 2 4-4m5.618-4.016A11.955 11.955 0 0112 2.944a11.955 11.955 0 01-8.618 3.04A12.02 12.02 0 003 9c0 5.591 3.824 10.29 9 11.622 5.176-1.332 9-6.03 9-11.622 0-1.042-.133-2.052-.382-3.016z" />
+                <path strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round" strokeWidth={2} d="M12 16v-4m0-4h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0" />
               </svg>
-              <span className="text-sm font-medium">Cryptographically signed</span>
+              <span className="text-sm font-medium">Supplied proof (unverified)</span>
             </div>
-            <div className="space-y-1 text-xs text-green-600 dark:text-green-500">
-              <p><span className="font-medium">Signed by:</span> <span className="font-mono break-all">{resource.credential.issuer}</span></p>
+            <p className="mb-2 text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+              These supplied details have not been cryptographically verified by this page.
+            </p>
+            <div className="space-y-1 text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+              <p><span className="font-medium">Declared issuer:</span> <span className="font-mono break-all">{resource.credential.issuer}</span></p>
               <p><span className="font-medium">Date:</span> {new Date(resource.credential.proof.created).toLocaleString()}</p>
               <p><span className="font-medium">Cryptosuite:</span> {resource.credential.proof.cryptosuite}</p>
             </div>
@@ -390,7 +401,7 @@ export function SharedListResource() {
             <a href="/" className="text-amber-600 hover:text-amber-500">
               boop
             </a>
-            {" "}· Verified with{" "}
+            {" "}· Identifier (unverified):{" "}
             <span className="font-mono">did:webvh</span>
           </p>
           <p className="text-xs text-gray-300 dark:text-gray-600 text-center mt-1 font-mono break-all">
diff --git a/src/components/publish/PublishModal.tsx b/src/components/publish/PublishModal.tsx
index bc37260..9275be1 100644
--- a/src/components/publish/PublishModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/publish/PublishModal.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Uses Panel component for slide-up drawer experience.
  *
  * Phase 4: Allows list owners to publish their lists publicly.
- * Published lists are verifiable and can be viewed by anyone.
+ * Published lists can be viewed by anyone; this panel does not verify authorship.
  */
 
 import { useState } from "react";
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ export function PublishModal({ list, onClose }: PublishModalProps) {
           <>
             <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
               Publishing makes this list publicly viewable. Anyone with the link
-              can see the list contents and verify who added each item. Editing requires an accepted editor invitation; publishing does not grant editing access.
+              can see the current list contents. This page does not verify item authorship. Editing requires an accepted editor invitation; publishing does not grant editing access.
             </p>
 
             <div className="p-4 bg-amber-50 dark:bg-amber-900/20 rounded-xl">
@@ -330,7 +330,6 @@ export function PublishModal({ list, onClose }: PublishModalProps) {
                   <p className="font-medium">Before you publish</p>
                   <ul className="mt-2 text-sm space-y-1 text-amber-700 dark:text-amber-500">
                     <li>• All items will be publicly visible</li>
-                    <li>• Contributor names will be shown</li>
                     <li>• The list URL will be shareable</li>
                   </ul>
                 </div>
@@ -339,6 +338,11 @@ export function PublishModal({ list, onClose }: PublishModalProps) {
           </>
         )}
 
+        <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+          The public link shows the current list and can change after publication.
+          It does not show or verify a sealed snapshot.
+        </p>
+
         <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
           Named access is separate from publication. Removing a grant does not stop public reading while publication is active. Unpublishing ends public access; accepted viewers and editors keep their private access.
         </p>
diff --git a/src/pages/PublicList.tsx b/src/pages/PublicList.tsx
index 1fb078a..dd15c40 100644
--- a/src/pages/PublicList.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/PublicList.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Public list view page.
  *
  * Phase 4: Displays a published list that anyone can view without authentication.
- * Shows items with attribution and verification status.
+ * Shows current items with recorded attribution and unverified identifier details.
  */
 
 import { useEffect } from "react";
@@ -103,6 +103,15 @@ export function PublicList() {
           </div>
         </div>
 
+        <section aria-label="Publication evidence" className="mb-6 p-4 bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-700 rounded-lg">
+          <h2 className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">Live list · not a sealed snapshot</h2>
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-300">
+            This page shows the current list, which can change after publication.
+            It does not verify a sealed snapshot or who added each item.
+            Contributor names are recorded attribution.
+          </p>
+        </section>
+
         {/* Items */}
         <div className="bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-lg shadow divide-y divide-gray-100 dark:divide-gray-700">
           {items.length === 0 ? (