diff --git a/docs/usage/immutable_snapshots.md b/docs/usage/immutable_snapshots.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6c031ea21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/usage/immutable_snapshots.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Immutable Snapshots
+
+## Overview of Immutable Objects
+
+Several cloud providers offer functionality to create immutable objects within their storage services. Once an object is uploaded, it cannot be modified or deleted for a set period, known as the **immutability period**. These are referred to as **immutable objects**.
+
+Currently, etcd-backup-restore supports the use of immutable objects on the following cloud platforms:
+
+- Google Cloud Storage  (currently supported)
+
+## Enabling and using Immutable Snapshots with etcd-backup-restore
+
+Etcd-backup-restore supports immutable objects, typically at what cloud providers call the "bucket level." During the creation of a bucket, it is configured to render objects immutable for a specific duration from the moment of their upload. This feature can be enabled through:
+
+- **Google Cloud Storage**: [Bucket Lock](https://cloud.google.com/storage/docs/bucket-lock)
+
+It is also possible to enable immutability retroactively by making appropriate API calls to your cloud provider, allowing the immutable snapshots feature to be used with existing buckets. For information on such configurations, please refer to your cloud provider's documentation.
+
+The behaviour of bucket's objects uploaded before a bucket is set to immutable varies among storage providers. Etcd-backup-restore manages these objects and will perform garbage collection according to the configured garbage collection policy and the object's immutability expiry.
+
+> Note: If immutable snapshots are not enabled then the object's immutability expiry will be considered as zero, hence causing no effect on current functionality.
+
+## Current Capabilities
+
+Etcd-backup-restore does not require configurations related to the immutability period of bucket's objects as this information is derived from the bucket's existing immutability settings. The etcd-backup-restore process also verifies the immutability expiry time of an object prior to initiating its garbage collection.
+
+Therefore, it is advisable to configure your garbage collection policies based on the duration you want your objects to remain immutable.
+
+## Storage Considerations
+
+Making objects immutable for extended periods can increase storage costs since these objects cannot be removed once uploaded. Storing outdated snapshots beyond their utility does not significantly enhance recovery capabilities. Therefore, consider all factors before enabling immutability for buckets, as this feature is irreversible once set by cloud providers.
diff --git a/pkg/compactor/compactor_test.go b/pkg/compactor/compactor_test.go
index d459b2899..c076f30cf 100644
--- a/pkg/compactor/compactor_test.go
+++ b/pkg/compactor/compactor_test.go
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Running Compactor", func() {
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				// Check if the compacted full snapshot is really present
-				snapList, err := store.List()
+				snapList, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				compactedSnapshot = snapList[len(snapList)-1]
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Running Compactor", func() {
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				// Check if the compacted full snapshot is really present
-				snapList, err := store.List()
+				snapList, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				compactedSnapshot = snapList[len(snapList)-1]
diff --git a/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous.go b/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous.go
index 40ecc77e3..a24863c23 100644
--- a/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous.go
+++ b/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous.go
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func GetLatestFullSnapshotAndDeltaSnapList(store brtypes.SnapStore) (*brtypes.Sn
 		fullSnapshot  *brtypes.Snapshot
 		deltaSnapList brtypes.SnapList
 	)
-	snapList, err := store.List()
+	snapList, err := store.List(false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ type backup struct {
 // GetFilteredBackups returns sorted by date (new -> old) SnapList. It will also filter the snapshots that should be included or not using the filter function.
 // If the filter is nil it will return all snapshots. Also, maxBackups can be used to target only the last N snapshots (-1 = all).
 func GetFilteredBackups(store brtypes.SnapStore, maxBackups int, filter func(snaps brtypes.Snapshot) bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
-	snapList, err := store.List()
+	snapList, err := store.List(false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous_test.go b/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous_test.go
index 1d5554747..1fd2dd281 100644
--- a/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous_test.go
+++ b/pkg/miscellaneous/miscellaneous_test.go
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ func NewDummyStore(snapList brtypes.SnapList) DummyStore {
 	return DummyStore{SnapList: snapList}
 }
 
-func (ds *DummyStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (ds *DummyStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	return ds.SnapList, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/snapshot/copier/copier.go b/pkg/snapshot/copier/copier.go
index f27f0d793..c929529b3 100644
--- a/pkg/snapshot/copier/copier.go
+++ b/pkg/snapshot/copier/copier.go
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func (c *Copier) copyBackups() error {
 
 	// Get destination snapshots and build a map keyed by name
 	c.logger.Info("Getting destination snapshots...")
-	destSnapshots, err := c.destSnapStore.List()
+	destSnapshots, err := c.destSnapStore.List(false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("could not get destination snapshots: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/garbagecollector.go b/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/garbagecollector.go
index 8b3aced34..6cee53405 100644
--- a/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/garbagecollector.go
+++ b/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/garbagecollector.go
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ func (ssr *Snapshotter) RunGarbageCollector(stopCh <-chan struct{}) {
 
 			total := 0
 			ssr.logger.Info("GC: Executing garbage collection...")
-			snapList, err := ssr.store.List()
+			// List all (tagged and untagged) snapshots to garbage collect them according to the garbage collection policy.
+			snapList, err := ssr.store.List(true)
 			if err != nil {
 				metrics.SnapshotterOperationFailure.With(prometheus.Labels{metrics.LabelError: err.Error()}).Inc()
 				ssr.logger.Warnf("GC: Failed to list snapshots: %v", err)
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ func (ssr *Snapshotter) RunGarbageCollector(stopCh <-chan struct{}) {
 			} else {
 				// chunksDeleted stores the no of chunks deleted in the current iteration of GC.
 				var chunksDeleted int
+				// GarbageCollectChunks returns a filtered SnapList which does not contain chunks.
 				chunksDeleted, snapList = ssr.GarbageCollectChunks(snapList)
 				ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Total number garbage collected chunks: %d", chunksDeleted)
 			}
@@ -140,6 +142,10 @@ func (ssr *Snapshotter) RunGarbageCollector(stopCh <-chan struct{}) {
 					}
 
 					if deleteSnap {
+						if !nextSnap.IsDeletable() {
+							ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Skipping the snapshot: %s, since its immutability period hasn't expired yet", nextSnap.SnapName)
+							continue
+						}
 						ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Deleting old full snapshot: %s %v", nextSnap.CreatedOn.UTC(), deleteSnap)
 						if err := ssr.store.Delete(*nextSnap); err != nil {
 							ssr.logger.Warnf("GC: Failed to delete snapshot %s: %v", path.Join(nextSnap.SnapDir, nextSnap.SnapName), err)
@@ -199,8 +205,8 @@ func getSnapStreamIndexList(snapList brtypes.SnapList) []int {
 }
 
 // GarbageCollectChunks removes obsolete chunks based on the latest recorded snapshot.
-// It eliminates chunks associated with snapshots that have already been uploaded.
-// Additionally, it avoids deleting chunks linked to snapshots currently being uploaded to prevent the garbage collector from removing chunks before the composite is formed.
+// It eliminates chunks associated with snapshots that have already been uploaded, and returns a SnapList which does not include chunks.
+// Additionally, it avoids deleting chunks linked to snapshots currently being uploaded to prevent the garbage collector from removing chunks before the composite is formed. This chunk garbage collection is required only for GCS.
 func (ssr *Snapshotter) GarbageCollectChunks(snapList brtypes.SnapList) (int, brtypes.SnapList) {
 	var nonChunkSnapList brtypes.SnapList
 	chunksDeleted := 0
@@ -216,6 +222,10 @@ func (ssr *Snapshotter) GarbageCollectChunks(snapList brtypes.SnapList) (int, br
 		}
 		// delete the chunk object
 		snapPath := path.Join(snap.SnapDir, snap.SnapName)
+		if !snap.IsDeletable() {
+			ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Skipping the snapshot: %s, since its immutability period hasn't expired yet", snap.SnapName)
+			continue
+		}
 		ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Deleting chunk for old snapshot: %s", snapPath)
 		if err := ssr.store.Delete(*snap); err != nil {
 			ssr.logger.Warnf("GC: Failed to delete chunk %s: %v", snapPath, err)
@@ -246,9 +256,13 @@ func (ssr *Snapshotter) GarbageCollectDeltaSnapshots(snapStream brtypes.SnapList
 	cutoffTime := time.Now().UTC().Add(-ssr.config.DeltaSnapshotRetentionPeriod.Duration)
 	for i := len(snapStream) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
 		if (*snapStream[i]).Kind == brtypes.SnapshotKindDelta && snapStream[i].CreatedOn.Before(cutoffTime) {
+
 			snapPath := path.Join(snapStream[i].SnapDir, snapStream[i].SnapName)
 			ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Deleting old delta snapshot: %s", snapPath)
-
+			if !snapStream[i].IsDeletable() {
+				ssr.logger.Infof("GC: Skipping the snapshot: %s, since its immutability period hasn't expired yet", snapPath)
+				continue
+			}
 			if err := ssr.store.Delete(*snapStream[i]); err != nil {
 				ssr.logger.Warnf("GC: Failed to delete snapshot %s: %v", snapPath, err)
 				metrics.SnapshotterOperationFailure.With(prometheus.Labels{metrics.LabelError: err.Error()}).Inc()
diff --git a/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/snapshotter_test.go b/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/snapshotter_test.go
index a5d2a1e32..7788087c9 100644
--- a/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/snapshotter_test.go
+++ b/pkg/snapshot/snapshotter/snapshotter_test.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				defer cancel()
 				err = ssr.Run(ctx.Done(), true)
 				Expect(err).Should(HaveOccurred())
-				list, err := store.List()
+				list, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(len(list)).Should(BeZero())
 			})
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				})
 
 				It("should not take any snapshot", func() {
-					list, err := store.List()
+					list, err := store.List(false)
 					count := 0
 					for _, snap := range list {
 						if snap.Kind == brtypes.SnapshotKindFull {
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						defer cancel()
 						err = ssr.Run(ctx.Done(), true)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).ShouldNot(BeZero())
 						for _, snapshot := range list {
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 							ssrCtx := utils.ContextWithWaitGroup(testCtx, wg)
 							err = ssr.Run(ssrCtx.Done(), false)
 							Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
-							list, err := store.List()
+							list, err := store.List(false)
 							Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 							Expect(len(list)).ShouldNot(BeZero())
 							Expect(list[0].Kind).Should(Equal(brtypes.SnapshotKindDelta))
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 							err = ssr.Run(ssrCtx.Done(), true)
 
 							Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
-							list, err := store.List()
+							list, err := store.List(false)
 							Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 							Expect(len(list)).ShouldNot(BeZero())
 							Expect(list[0].Kind).Should(Equal(brtypes.SnapshotKindFull))
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				defer cancel()
 				ssr.RunGarbageCollector(gcCtx.Done())
 
-				list, err := store.List()
+				list, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(len(list)).Should(Equal(len(expectedSnapList)))
 
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				defer cancel()
 				ssr.RunGarbageCollector(gcCtx.Done())
 
-				list, err := store.List()
+				list, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				incr := false
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				Context("with all delta snapshots older than retention period", func() {
 					It("should delete all delta snapshots", func() {
 						store := prepareStoreWithDeltaSnapshots(testDir, deltaSnapshotCount)
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(Equal(deltaSnapshotCount))
 
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(deleted).To(Equal(deltaSnapshotCount))
 
-						list, err = store.List()
+						list, err = store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(BeZero())
 					})
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				Context("with no delta snapshots", func() {
 					It("should not delete any snapshots", func() {
 						store := prepareStoreWithDeltaSnapshots(testDir, 0)
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(BeZero())
 
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(deleted).Should(BeZero())
 
-						list, err = store.List()
+						list, err = store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(BeZero())
 					})
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				Context("with all delta snapshots younger than retention period", func() {
 					It("should not delete any snapshots", func() {
 						store := prepareStoreWithDeltaSnapshots(testDir, deltaSnapshotCount)
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(Equal(6))
 
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(deleted).Should(BeZero())
 
-						list, err = store.List()
+						list, err = store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(Equal(deltaSnapshotCount))
 					})
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 				Context("with a mix of delta snapshots, some older and some younger than retention period", func() {
 					It("should delete only the delta snapshots older than the retention period", func() {
 						store := prepareStoreWithDeltaSnapshots(testDir, deltaSnapshotCount)
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(Equal(6))
 
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(deleted).To(Equal(3))
 
-						list, err = store.List()
+						list, err = store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).Should(Equal(3))
 					})
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(chunkCount).To(BeZero())
 
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).To(BeZero())
 
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(chunkCount).To(Equal(4))
 
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).To(Equal(4))
 
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(chunkCount).To(Equal(9))
 
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).To(Equal(10))
 
@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(chunkCount).To(Equal(9))
 
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).To(Equal(10))
 
@@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(chunkCount).To(BeZero())
 
-						list, err := store.List()
+						list, err := store.List(false)
 						Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 						Expect(len(list)).To(Equal(3))
 
@@ -1266,7 +1266,7 @@ func addObjectsToStore(store brtypes.SnapStore, objectType string, kind string,
 
 // getObjectCount returns counts of chunk and composite objects in the store
 func getObjectCount(store brtypes.SnapStore) (int, int, error) {
-	list, err := store.List()
+	list, err := store.List(false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, 0, err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/abs_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/abs_snapstore.go
index 424ff15b0..8322a4d20 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/abs_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/abs_snapstore.go
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ func (a *ABSSnapStore) Fetch(snap brtypes.Snapshot) (io.ReadCloser, error) {
 }
 
 // List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-func (a *ABSSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (a *ABSSnapStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	prefixTokens := strings.Split(a.prefix, "/")
 	// Last element of the tokens is backup version
 	// Consider the parent of the backup version level (Required for Backward Compatibility)
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/failed_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/failed_snapstore.go
index 02e41288e..7af586c4d 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/failed_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/failed_snapstore.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func (f *FailedSnapStore) Save(snap brtypes.Snapshot, rc io.ReadCloser) error {
 }
 
 // List will list the snapshots from store
-func (f *FailedSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (f *FailedSnapStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	var snapList brtypes.SnapList
 	return snapList, fmt.Errorf("failed to list the snapshots")
 }
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore.go
index eaf26ffe2..aab6b3af3 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore.go
@@ -283,14 +283,15 @@ func (s *GCSSnapStore) componentUploader(wg *sync.WaitGroup, stopCh <-chan struc
 	}
 }
 
-// List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-func (s *GCSSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+// List returns a sorted list of all snapshot files in the object store, excluding those snapshots tagged with `x-ignore-etcd-snapshot-exclude` in their object metadata/tags. To include these tagged snapshots in the List output, pass `true` as the argument.
+func (s *GCSSnapStore) List(includeAll bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	prefixTokens := strings.Split(s.prefix, "/")
-	// Last element of the tokens is backup version
-	// Consider the parent of the backup version level (Required for Backward Compatibility)
+	// Consider the parent of the last element for backward compatibility.
 	prefix := path.Join(strings.Join(prefixTokens[:len(prefixTokens)-1], "/"))
 
-	it := s.client.Bucket(s.bucket).Objects(context.TODO(), &storage.Query{Prefix: prefix})
+	it := s.client.Bucket(s.bucket).Objects(context.TODO(), &storage.Query{
+		Prefix: prefix,
+	})
 
 	var attrs []*storage.ObjectAttrs
 	for {
@@ -301,6 +302,12 @@ func (s *GCSSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+
+		// Check if the snapshot should be ignored
+		if !includeAll && attr.Metadata[brtypes.ExcludeSnapshotMetadataKey] == "true" {
+			logrus.Infof("Ignoring snapshot due to exclude tag %q present in metadata on snapshot: %s", brtypes.ExcludeSnapshotMetadataKey, attr.Name)
+			continue
+		}
 		attrs = append(attrs, attr)
 	}
 
@@ -309,10 +316,10 @@ func (s *GCSSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 		if strings.Contains(v.Name, backupVersionV1) || strings.Contains(v.Name, backupVersionV2) {
 			snap, err := ParseSnapshot(v.Name)
 			if err != nil {
-				// Warning
 				logrus.Warnf("Invalid snapshot %s found, ignoring it: %v", v.Name, err)
 				continue
 			}
+			snap.ImmutabilityExpiryTime = v.RetentionExpirationTime
 			snapList = append(snapList, snap)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore_test.go b/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore_test.go
index a2203a210..5d2bb7564 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore_test.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/gcs_snapstore_test.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ type mockGCSClient struct {
 	stiface.Client
 	objects     map[string]*[]byte
 	prefix      string
+	objectTags  map[string]map[string]string
 	objectMutex sync.Mutex
 }
 
@@ -29,6 +30,14 @@ func (m *mockGCSClient) Bucket(name string) stiface.BucketHandle {
 	return &mockBucketHandle{bucket: name, client: m}
 }
 
+func (m *mockGCSClient) setTags(taggedSnapshotName string, tagMap map[string]string) {
+	m.objectTags[taggedSnapshotName] = tagMap
+}
+
+func (m *mockGCSClient) deleteTags(taggedSnapshotName string) {
+	delete(m.objectTags, taggedSnapshotName)
+}
+
 type mockBucketHandle struct {
 	stiface.BucketHandle
 	bucket string
@@ -47,7 +56,7 @@ func (m *mockBucketHandle) Objects(context.Context, *storage.Query) stiface.Obje
 		keys = append(keys, key)
 	}
 	sort.Strings(keys)
-	return &mockObjectIterator{keys: keys}
+	return &mockObjectIterator{keys: keys, tags: m.client.objectTags}
 }
 
 type mockObjectHandle struct {
@@ -82,6 +91,7 @@ func (m *mockObjectHandle) Delete(context.Context) error {
 	defer m.client.objectMutex.Unlock()
 	if _, ok := m.client.objects[m.object]; ok {
 		delete(m.client.objects, m.object)
+		delete(m.client.objectTags, m.object)
 		return nil
 	}
 	return fmt.Errorf("object %s not found", m.object)
@@ -91,12 +101,15 @@ type mockObjectIterator struct {
 	stiface.ObjectIterator
 	currentIndex int
 	keys         []string
+	tags         map[string]map[string]string
 }
 
 func (m *mockObjectIterator) Next() (*storage.ObjectAttrs, error) {
 	if m.currentIndex < len(m.keys) {
+		name := m.keys[m.currentIndex]
 		obj := &storage.ObjectAttrs{
-			Name: m.keys[m.currentIndex],
+			Name:     name,
+			Metadata: m.tags[name],
 		}
 		m.currentIndex++
 		return obj, nil
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/local_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/local_snapstore.go
index cda84b93d..9150d7829 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/local_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/local_snapstore.go
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func (s *LocalSnapStore) Save(snap brtypes.Snapshot, rc io.ReadCloser) error {
 }
 
 // List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-func (s *LocalSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (s *LocalSnapStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	prefixTokens := strings.Split(s.prefix, "/")
 	// Last element of the tokens is backup version
 	// Consider the parent of the backup version level (Required for Backward Compatibility)
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/oss_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/oss_snapstore.go
index e8a9bf523..fb2fcb0ab 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/oss_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/oss_snapstore.go
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func (s *OSSSnapStore) uploadPart(imur oss.InitiateMultipartUploadResult, file *
 }
 
 // List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-func (s *OSSSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (s *OSSSnapStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	prefixTokens := strings.Split(s.prefix, "/")
 	// Last element of the tokens is backup version
 	// Consider the parent of the backup version level (Required for Backward Compatibility)
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/s3_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/s3_snapstore.go
index 6e2c2a7eb..fa2737e94 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/s3_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/s3_snapstore.go
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ func (s *S3SnapStore) partUploader(wg *sync.WaitGroup, stopCh <-chan struct{}, s
 }
 
 // List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-func (s *S3SnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (s *S3SnapStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	prefixTokens := strings.Split(s.prefix, "/")
 	// Last element of the tokens is backup version
 	// Consider the parent of the backup version level (Required for Backward Compatibility)
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/snapshot_test.go b/pkg/snapstore/snapshot_test.go
index 8e588d703..5919f3aa7 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/snapshot_test.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/snapshot_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import (
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("Snapshot", func() {
-
 	Describe("Snapshot service", func() {
 		Context("when provied with list of snapshot", func() {
 			It("sorts snapshot by last revision number", func() {
@@ -306,4 +305,48 @@ var _ = Describe("Snapshot", func() {
 			})
 		})
 	})
+
+	Context("when provided with immutability time periods", func() {
+		var (
+			snap1 brtypes.Snapshot
+			snap2 brtypes.Snapshot
+		)
+		BeforeEach(func() {
+			now := time.Now().UTC()
+			snapdir := fmt.Sprintf("Backup-%d", now.Second())
+			snap1 = brtypes.Snapshot{
+				CreatedOn:     now,
+				StartRevision: 0,
+				LastRevision:  2088,
+				Kind:          brtypes.SnapshotKindFull,
+				SnapDir:       snapdir,
+			}
+			snap2 = brtypes.Snapshot{
+				CreatedOn:     now,
+				StartRevision: 2089,
+				LastRevision:  3088,
+				Kind:          brtypes.SnapshotKindDelta,
+				SnapDir:       snapdir,
+			}
+		})
+		It("should be deletable when its immutability period is not set", func() {
+			// do not set the immutability period
+			Expect(snap1.IsDeletable()).Should(BeTrue())
+			Expect(snap2.IsDeletable()).Should(BeTrue())
+		})
+		It("should be deletable when its immutability period has expired", func() {
+			// Setting expiry time to be a short time after creation
+			snap1.ImmutabilityExpiryTime = snap1.CreatedOn.Add(time.Nanosecond)
+			snap2.ImmutabilityExpiryTime = snap2.CreatedOn.Add(time.Nanosecond)
+			Expect(snap1.IsDeletable()).To(BeTrue())
+			Expect(snap2.IsDeletable()).To(BeTrue())
+		})
+		It("should not be deletable when its immutability period has not expired", func() {
+			// Setting the expiry time to be a long time after the creation
+			snap1.ImmutabilityExpiryTime = snap1.CreatedOn.Add(time.Hour)
+			snap2.ImmutabilityExpiryTime = snap2.CreatedOn.Add(time.Hour)
+			Expect(snap1.IsDeletable()).To(BeFalse())
+			Expect(snap2.IsDeletable()).To(BeFalse())
+		})
+	})
 })
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/snapstore_test.go b/pkg/snapstore/snapstore_test.go
index 87d5009f9..639d960b8 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/snapstore_test.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/snapstore_test.go
@@ -41,6 +41,14 @@ type testSnapStore struct {
 	objectCountPerSnapshot int
 }
 
+// tagger is the interface that is to be implemented by mock snapstores to set tags on snapshots
+type tagger interface {
+	// Sets all of the tags for a mocked snapshot
+	setTags(string, map[string]string)
+	// Deletes all of the tags of a mocked snapshot
+	deleteTags(string)
+}
+
 var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 	var (
 		snap1      brtypes.Snapshot
@@ -49,6 +57,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 		snap4      brtypes.Snapshot
 		snap5      brtypes.Snapshot
 		snapstores map[string]testSnapStore
+		gcsClient  *mockGCSClient
 	)
 
 	BeforeEach(func() {
@@ -101,8 +110,14 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 		snap4.GenerateSnapshotName()
 		snap5.GenerateSnapshotName()
 
+		gcsClient = &mockGCSClient{
+			objects:    objectMap,
+			prefix:     prefixV2,
+			objectTags: make(map[string]map[string]string),
+		}
+
 		snapstores = map[string]testSnapStore{
-			"s3": {
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderS3: {
 				SnapStore: NewS3FromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, &mockS3Client{
 					objects:          objectMap,
 					prefix:           prefixV2,
@@ -110,11 +125,11 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				}, SSECredentials{}),
 				objectCountPerSnapshot: 1,
 			},
-			"swift": {
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderSwift: {
 				SnapStore:              NewSwiftSnapstoreFromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, fake.ServiceClient()),
 				objectCountPerSnapshot: 3,
 			},
-			"ABS": {
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderABS: {
 				SnapStore: NewABSSnapStoreFromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, &fakeABSContainerClient{
 					objects:     objectMap,
 					prefix:      prefixV2,
@@ -122,14 +137,11 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				}),
 				objectCountPerSnapshot: 1,
 			},
-			"GCS": {
-				SnapStore: NewGCSSnapStoreFromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, "", &mockGCSClient{
-					objects: objectMap,
-					prefix:  prefixV2,
-				}),
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderGCS: {
+				SnapStore:              NewGCSSnapStoreFromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, "", gcsClient),
 				objectCountPerSnapshot: 1,
 			},
-			"OSS": {
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderOSS: {
 				SnapStore: NewOSSFromBucket(prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, &mockOSSBucket{
 					objects:          objectMap,
 					prefix:           prefixV2,
@@ -138,7 +150,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				}),
 				objectCountPerSnapshot: 1,
 			},
-			"ECS": {
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderECS: {
 				SnapStore: NewS3FromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, &mockS3Client{
 					objects:          objectMap,
 					prefix:           prefixV2,
@@ -146,7 +158,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				}, SSECredentials{}),
 				objectCountPerSnapshot: 1,
 			},
-			"OCS": {
+			brtypes.SnapstoreProviderOCS: {
 				SnapStore: NewS3FromClient(bucket, prefixV2, "/tmp", 5, brtypes.MinChunkSize, &mockS3Client{
 					objects:          objectMap,
 					prefix:           prefixV2,
@@ -176,7 +188,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				logrus.Infof("Running mock tests for %s when only v1 is present", provider)
 
 				// List snap1 and snap2
-				snapList, err := snapStore.List()
+				snapList, err := snapStore.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(snapList.Len()).To(Equal(numberSnapshotsInObjectMap * snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
 				Expect(snapList[0].SnapName).To(Equal(snap2.SnapName))
@@ -196,7 +208,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				prevLen := len(objectMap)
 				err = snapStore.Delete(*snapList[secondSnapshotIndex])
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
-				snapList, err = snapStore.List()
+				snapList, err = snapStore.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(snapList.Len()).To(Equal(prevLen - 1*snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
 
@@ -228,7 +240,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				logrus.Infof("Running mock tests for %s when both v1 and v2 are present", provider)
 
 				// List snap1, snap4, snap5
-				snapList, err := snapStore.List()
+				snapList, err := snapStore.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(snapList.Len()).To(Equal(numberSnapshotsInObjectMap * snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
 				Expect(snapList[0].SnapName).To(Equal(snap1.SnapName))
@@ -297,12 +309,43 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				logrus.Infof("Running mock tests for %s when only v2 is present", provider)
 
 				// List snap4 and snap5
-				snapList, err := snapStore.List()
+				snapList, err := snapStore.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(snapList.Len()).To(Equal(numberSnapshotsInObjectMap * snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
 				Expect(snapList[0].SnapName).To(Equal(snap4.SnapName))
 				Expect(snapList[secondSnapshotIndex].SnapName).To(Equal(snap5.SnapName))
 
+				// The List method implemented for SnapStores which support immutable objects is tested for tagged and untagged snapshots.
+				// TODO @renormalize: ABS, S3
+				var mockClient tagger
+				switch provider {
+				case brtypes.SnapstoreProviderGCS:
+					mockClient = gcsClient
+				}
+				if provider == brtypes.SnapstoreProviderGCS {
+					// the tagged snapshot should not be returned by the List() call
+					taggedSnapshot := snapList[0]
+					taggedSnapshotName := path.Join(taggedSnapshot.Prefix, taggedSnapshot.SnapDir, taggedSnapshot.SnapName)
+					mockClient.setTags(taggedSnapshotName, map[string]string{brtypes.ExcludeSnapshotMetadataKey: "true"})
+					snapList, err = snapStore.List(false)
+					Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
+					Expect(snapList.Len()).Should(Equal((numberSnapshotsInObjectMap - 1) * snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
+					Expect(snapList[0].SnapName).ShouldNot(Equal(taggedSnapshot.SnapName))
+
+					// listing both tagged and untagged snapshots
+					snapList, err = snapStore.List(true)
+					Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
+					Expect(snapList.Len()).Should(Equal(numberSnapshotsInObjectMap * snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
+					Expect(snapList[0].SnapName).Should(Equal(taggedSnapshot.SnapName))
+
+					// removing the tag will make the snapshot appear in the List call with false
+					mockClient.deleteTags(taggedSnapshotName)
+					snapList, err = snapStore.List(false)
+					Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
+					Expect(snapList.Len()).Should(Equal(numberSnapshotsInObjectMap * snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
+					Expect(snapList[0].SnapName).Should(Equal(taggedSnapshot.SnapName))
+				}
+
 				// Fetch snap5
 				rc, err := snapStore.Fetch(*snapList[secondSnapshotIndex])
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
@@ -317,7 +360,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 				prevLen := len(objectMap)
 				err = snapStore.Delete(*snapList[0])
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
-				snapList, err = snapStore.List()
+				snapList, err = snapStore.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(snapList.Len()).To(Equal(prevLen - snapStore.objectCountPerSnapshot))
 
@@ -334,7 +377,6 @@ var _ = Describe("Save, List, Fetch, Delete from mock snapstore", func() {
 })
 
 type CredentialTestConfig struct {
-	Provider          string
 	EnvVariable       string
 	SnapstoreProvider string
 	CredentialType    string // "file" or "directory"
@@ -344,14 +386,12 @@ type CredentialTestConfig struct {
 var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	// AWS
 	{
-		Provider:          "AWS",
 		EnvVariable:       "AWS_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderS3,
 		CredentialType:    "directory",
 		CredentialFiles:   []string{"accessKeyID", "region", "secretAccessKey"},
 	},
 	{
-		Provider:          "AWS",
 		EnvVariable:       "AWS_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_JSON",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderS3,
 		CredentialType:    "file",
@@ -359,14 +399,12 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// Azure
 	{
-		Provider:          "ABS",
 		EnvVariable:       "AZURE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderABS,
 		CredentialType:    "directory",
 		CredentialFiles:   []string{"storageAccount", "storageKey"},
 	},
 	{
-		Provider:          "ABS",
 		EnvVariable:       "AZURE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_JSON",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderABS,
 		CredentialType:    "file",
@@ -374,7 +412,6 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// GCS
 	{
-		Provider:          "GCS",
 		EnvVariable:       "GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderGCS,
 		CredentialType:    "file",
@@ -382,7 +419,6 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// Swift V3ApplicationCredentials
 	{
-		Provider:          "Swift",
 		EnvVariable:       "OPENSTACK_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderSwift,
 		CredentialType:    "directory",
@@ -390,7 +426,6 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// Swift Password
 	{
-		Provider:          "Swift",
 		EnvVariable:       "OPENSTACK_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderSwift,
 		CredentialType:    "directory",
@@ -398,7 +433,6 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// Swift JSON
 	{
-		Provider:          "Swift",
 		EnvVariable:       "OPENSTACK_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_JSON",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderSwift,
 		CredentialType:    "file",
@@ -406,14 +440,12 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// OSS
 	{
-		Provider:          "OSS",
 		EnvVariable:       "ALICLOUD_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderOSS,
 		CredentialType:    "directory",
 		CredentialFiles:   []string{"accessKeyID", "accessKeySecret", "storageEndpoint"},
 	},
 	{
-		Provider:          "OSS",
 		EnvVariable:       "ALICLOUD_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_JSON",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderOSS,
 		CredentialType:    "file",
@@ -421,14 +453,12 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 	},
 	// OCS
 	{
-		Provider:          "OCS",
 		EnvVariable:       "OPENSHIFT_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderOCS,
 		CredentialType:    "directory",
 		CredentialFiles:   []string{"accessKeyID", "region", "endpoint", "secretAccessKey"},
 	},
 	{
-		Provider:          "OCS",
 		EnvVariable:       "OPENSHIFT_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_JSON",
 		SnapstoreProvider: brtypes.SnapstoreProviderOCS,
 		CredentialType:    "file",
@@ -439,7 +469,7 @@ var credentialTestConfigs = []CredentialTestConfig{
 var _ = Describe("Dynamic access credential rotation test for each provider", func() {
 	for _, config := range credentialTestConfigs {
 		config := config
-		Describe(fmt.Sprintf("testing secret modification for %q with %q", config.Provider, config.EnvVariable), func() {
+		Describe(fmt.Sprintf("testing secret modification for %q with %q", config.SnapstoreProvider, config.EnvVariable), func() {
 			Context("environment variable not set", func() {
 				It("should return error", func() {
 					newSecretModifiedTime, err := GetSnapstoreSecretModifiedTime(config.SnapstoreProvider)
@@ -556,7 +586,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Blob Service URL construction for Azure", func() {
 
 var _ = Describe("Server Side Encryption Customer Managed Key for S3", func() {
 	s3SnapstoreConfig := brtypes.SnapstoreConfig{
-		Provider:  "S3",
+		Provider:  brtypes.SnapstoreProviderS3,
 		Container: "etcd-test",
 		Prefix:    "v2",
 	}
@@ -657,7 +687,7 @@ func generateContentsForSnapshot(snapshot *brtypes.Snapshot) string {
 func setObjectMap(provider string, snapshots brtypes.SnapList) int {
 	var numberSnapshotsAdded int
 	for _, snapshot := range snapshots {
-		if provider == "swift" {
+		if provider == brtypes.SnapstoreProviderSwift {
 			// contents of the snapshot split into segments
 			generatedContents := generateContentsForSnapshot(snapshot)
 			segmentBytes01 := []byte(generatedContents[:len(generatedContents)/2])
diff --git a/pkg/snapstore/swift_snapstore.go b/pkg/snapstore/swift_snapstore.go
index faa004001..da7f291f4 100644
--- a/pkg/snapstore/swift_snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/snapstore/swift_snapstore.go
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ func (s *SwiftSnapStore) chunkUploader(wg *sync.WaitGroup, stopCh <-chan struct{
 }
 
 // List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-func (s *SwiftSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
+func (s *SwiftSnapStore) List(_ bool) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 	prefixTokens := strings.Split(s.prefix, "/")
 	// Last element of the tokens is backup version
 	// Consider the parent of the backup version level (Required for Backward Compatibility)
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ func (s *SwiftSnapStore) List() (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
 }
 
 func (s *SwiftSnapStore) getSnapshotChunks(snapshot brtypes.Snapshot) (brtypes.SnapList, error) {
-	snaps, err := s.List()
+	snaps, err := s.List(false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/types/snapstore.go b/pkg/types/snapstore.go
index 93de02397..3551a36d8 100644
--- a/pkg/types/snapstore.go
+++ b/pkg/types/snapstore.go
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ const (
 
 	// MinChunkSize is set to 5Mib since it is lower chunk size limit for AWS.
 	MinChunkSize int64 = 5 * (1 << 20) //5 MiB
+
+	// ExcludeSnapshotMetadataKey is the tag that is to be added on snapshots in the object store if they are not to be included in SnapStore's List output.
+	ExcludeSnapshotMetadataKey = "x-etcd-snapshot-exclude"
 )
 
 // SnapStore is the interface to be implemented for different
@@ -65,26 +68,41 @@ const (
 type SnapStore interface {
 	// Fetch should open reader for the snapshot file from store.
 	Fetch(Snapshot) (io.ReadCloser, error)
-	// List will return sorted list with all snapshot files on store.
-	List() (SnapList, error)
+	// List returns a sorted list (based on the last revision, ascending) of all snapshots in the store.
+	// includeAll specifies whether to include all snapshots while listing, including those with exclude tags.
+	// Snapshots with exclude tags are not listed unless includeAll is set to true.
+	List(includeAll bool) (SnapList, error)
 	// Save will write the snapshot to store.
 	Save(Snapshot, io.ReadCloser) error
 	// Delete should delete the snapshot file from store.
 	Delete(Snapshot) error
 }
 
-// Snapshot structure represents the metadata of snapshot.s
+// Snapshot structure represents the metadata of snapshot.
 type Snapshot struct {
-	Kind              string    `json:"kind"` //incr:incremental,full:full
-	StartRevision     int64     `json:"startRevision"`
-	LastRevision      int64     `json:"lastRevision"` //latest revision on snapshot
-	CreatedOn         time.Time `json:"createdOn"`
-	SnapDir           string    `json:"snapDir"`
-	SnapName          string    `json:"snapName"`
-	IsChunk           bool      `json:"isChunk"`
-	Prefix            string    `json:"prefix"`            // Points to correct prefix of a snapshot in snapstore (Required for Backward Compatibility)
-	CompressionSuffix string    `json:"compressionSuffix"` // CompressionSuffix depends on compessionPolicy
-	IsFinal           bool      `json:"isFinal"`
+	Kind                   string    `json:"kind"` // incr:incremental, full:full
+	StartRevision          int64     `json:"startRevision"`
+	LastRevision           int64     `json:"lastRevision"` // latest revision on snapshot
+	CreatedOn              time.Time `json:"createdOn"`
+	SnapDir                string    `json:"snapDir"`
+	SnapName               string    `json:"snapName"`
+	IsChunk                bool      `json:"isChunk"`
+	Prefix                 string    `json:"prefix"`            // Points to correct prefix of a snapshot in snapstore (Required for Backward Compatibility)
+	CompressionSuffix      string    `json:"compressionSuffix"` // CompressionSuffix depends on compression policy
+	IsFinal                bool      `json:"isFinal"`
+	ImmutabilityExpiryTime time.Time `json:"immutabilityExpriyTime"`
+}
+
+// IsDeletable determines if the snapshot can be deleted.
+// It checks if the immutability expiry time is set and whether the current time is after the immutability expiry time.
+func (s *Snapshot) IsDeletable() bool {
+	// Check if ImmutabilityExpiryTime is the zero value of time.Time, which means it is not set.
+	// If ImmutabilityExpiryTime is not set, assume the snapshot can be deleted.
+	if s.ImmutabilityExpiryTime.IsZero() {
+		return true
+	}
+	// Otherwise, check if the current time is after the immutability expiry time.
+	return time.Now().After(s.ImmutabilityExpiryTime)
 }
 
 // GenerateSnapshotName prepares the snapshot name from metadata
diff --git a/test/e2e/integration/cloud_backup_test.go b/test/e2e/integration/cloud_backup_test.go
index a81a04c4a..550f9c0be 100644
--- a/test/e2e/integration/cloud_backup_test.go
+++ b/test/e2e/integration/cloud_backup_test.go
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ auto-compaction-retention: 30m`
 			store, err = snapstore.GetSnapstore(snapstoreConfig)
 			Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
-			snapList, err := store.List()
+			snapList, err := store.List(false)
 			Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 			for _, snap := range snapList {
 				Expect(store.Delete(*snap)).To(Succeed())
@@ -176,13 +176,13 @@ auto-compaction-retention: 30m`
 
 		Context("taken at 1 minute interval", func() {
 			It("should take periodic backups.", func() {
-				snaplist, err := store.List()
+				snaplist, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(snaplist).Should(BeEmpty())
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				time.Sleep(70 * time.Second)
 
-				snaplist, err = store.List()
+				snaplist, err = store.List(false)
 				Expect(snaplist).ShouldNot(BeEmpty())
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 			})
@@ -190,13 +190,13 @@ auto-compaction-retention: 30m`
 
 		Context("taken at 1 minute interval", func() {
 			It("should take periodic backups and limit based garbage collect backups over maxBackups configured", func() {
-				snaplist, err := store.List()
+				snaplist, err := store.List(false)
 				Expect(snaplist).Should(BeEmpty())
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 
 				time.Sleep(190 * time.Second)
 
-				snaplist, err = store.List()
+				snaplist, err = store.List(false)
 				Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 				count := 0
 				for _, snap := range snaplist {
diff --git a/test/e2e/integrationcluster/backup_test.go b/test/e2e/integrationcluster/backup_test.go
index 0209be7a1..181ff6e0e 100644
--- a/test/e2e/integrationcluster/backup_test.go
+++ b/test/e2e/integrationcluster/backup_test.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Backup", func() {
 
 	Describe("Snapshotter", func() {
 		It("should take full and delta snapshot", func() {
-			snapList, err := store.List()
+			snapList, err := store.List(false)
 			Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 			numFulls, numDeltas := getTotalFullAndDeltaSnapshotCounts(snapList)
 			Expect(numFulls).Should(Equal(1))
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Backup", func() {
 
 			cumulativeNumFulls, cumulativeNumDeltas := getTotalFullAndDeltaSnapshotCounts(cumulativeSnapList)
 
-			snapList, err := store.List()
+			snapList, err := store.List(false)
 			Expect(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
 			numFulls, numDeltas := getTotalFullAndDeltaSnapshotCounts(snapList)
 
diff --git a/test/e2e/integrationcluster/utils.go b/test/e2e/integrationcluster/utils.go
index 730b56a7c..a34ed187e 100644
--- a/test/e2e/integrationcluster/utils.go
+++ b/test/e2e/integrationcluster/utils.go
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ func getTotalFullAndDeltaSnapshotCounts(snapList brtypes.SnapList) (int, int) {
 }
 
 func purgeSnapstore(store brtypes.SnapStore) error {
-	snapList, err := store.List()
+	snapList, err := store.List(false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ func recordCumulativeSnapList(logger *logrus.Logger, stopCh <-chan struct{}, res
 			resultCh <- snapListResult
 			return
 		default:
-			snaps, err := store.List()
+			snaps, err := store.List(false)
 			if err != nil {
 				snapListResult.Error = err
 				resultCh <- snapListResult