Do WhatsApp conversations serve in judicial proceedings?

At first, WhatsApp was presented as an option to maintain conversations in instant messaging applications, but today there is no doubt about its importance, as it has become a fundamental part of our daily communication.

It is common then to use WhatsApp to exchange messages, videos, audios, among others, with friends, family or colleagues, even in groups in general. In this sense, everything that is exchanged through said application should not involve anything more than simple messages in which everyday information is shared.

However, this is not always the case, in fact it is valid to ask questions such as: What happens when these conversations become evidence in a judicial process? Are they admissible in Court and under what conditions? Can anyone find themselves in trouble? It is essential to answer these questions, especially if you are in a process related to both issues that may affect you.

Fake tests and the influence of artificial intelligence

Creating fake tests on WhatsApp has become more accessible than ever. Using image, text, voice and video editing tools, completely imitating the person, the possibility of fabricating fake conversations is real. This poses a significant challenge to the Courts and parties involved in a legal process.

It is important to note that as technology and artificial intelligence advance, the creation of fake tests becomes more sophisticated and difficult to detect. Therefore, it is crucial that Courts and computer forensics experts are able to distinguish between authentic and fabricated conversations.

Deleted conversations: Are they acceptable?

While it is true that false evidence can be created from WhatsApp messages, it is also true that if they are real and prove some circumstance, provide information or are useful for any issue, they may be useful, but in legal terms, are they admissible? The answer is yes, as long as they have been previously authenticated by a computer expert.

A common question in the context of judicial proceedings is whether WhatsApp conversations that have been deleted can be used as evidence. The answer is yes, as long as they can be retrieved and validated appropriately.

Deleting WhatsApp conversations does not prevent them from being recovered using data recovery tools. However, it is essential to have the assistance of a certified computer expert to carry out this process. Computer expertise guarantees that the recovered conversations are authentic and have not been altered.

Computer expertise: the key to authenticity

Computer expertise plays a crucial role in the process of presenting WhatsApp conversations as evidence in a trial. IT experts are experts in recovering and authenticating digital data, including conversations from messaging apps like WhatsApp.

The service of these experts can verify the authenticity of conversations by examining metadata, checking the integrity of files and ensuring that no manipulations have been carried out. Your testimony in Court is vital to establishing the credibility of the evidence presented.

In this sense, it is understandable why they should not be dispensed with for any legal process in which WhatsApp messaging is involved, since their reports can have a lot of weight and, sometimes, make the difference between being seen or not . benefited in a trial, either to defend themselves or to file a lawsuit or complaint.

How else can a computer expert help you?

Experience and technical knowledge are invaluable resources to obtain fair and accurate results in the Administration of Justice and, for the following reasons, it is ideal to have this service in case you are in doubt:

• Authenticity validation. IT experts can review the authenticity of digital evidence, including WhatsApp conversations, through extensive analysis of metadata, databases and other technical indicators, as mentioned above. This guarantees that the tests are not fabricated, obtaining, of course, reliability or not as the case may be.
• Integrity of evidence. One of the most important tasks is to ensure the integrity of digital evidence, avoiding any improper alteration or loss of data during the collection and analysis process.
• Credibility in Court. The presence of a computer expert in Court adds credibility to the digital evidence presented, as their testimony is valuable to judges and juries, helping them understand the technology and the authenticity of the evidence.
• Avoid contamination of evidence. Following specific procedures ensures that evidence is not contaminated and the required chain of custody is preserved, which is essential to maintaining the validity of the evidence.
• Interpretation of technical data. They can translate complex technical data into language understandable by the parties involved, making it easier to present evidence in Court and helping to avoid misunderstandings.
• Completely legal compliance. Computer experts are familiar with the laws and regulations related to the collection and presentation of digital evidence, ensuring compliance with legal and privacy requirements.
• Advice on legal strategy. Computer experts will advise lawyers in formulating legal strategies based on available digital evidence, which can be crucial for decision-making in a procedure.
• Preparation for interrogation. The computer expertise service includes preparing the parties for the interrogation, anticipating the questions and arguments that may arise in relation to the digital evidence and providing solid answers, all in favor of the case that is being carried out, with the aim of to help the client and always maintaining the impartiality required by law.

In short, having a computer expert in judicial procedures that involve digital evidence, such as WhatsApp conversations, is not only recommended, but essential to guarantee the integrity and authenticity of the digital evidence presented in Court and that it is admitted.