Very often on WhatsApp people tend to exchange messages of various types. But not everyone knows that these can also be used in court.
These are not just informal conversations, but elements that can become real evidence. It is therefore important to understand the direction that technology is taking and also what can and cannot be said within chats.
Meta has worked to place some limits on what are also the terms that can be used. Both within private chats and publicly on various social networks. It is clear that WhatsApp also falls under these restrictions. Not because there is direct control by people on the chats. But because, based on specific reports, certain elements within the conversations can also become a reason for blocking the account.
Whatsapp Messages: When They Can End Up in Court
So, it is clear that these are certainly private messaging systems. But they still have specific limitations to respect. This introduces an important fact that also concerns WhatsApp messages. Which are used as real evidence in court.
Of course, technical assessments are carried out to ensure that they are authentic and that they have not been manipulated or modified. For example, through artificial intelligence systems. This has changed everything, because many do not know that digital conversations are also documentary evidence and therefore must comply with certain guidelines.
According to the civil code, article 2697, the proof is valid provided that the person presenting the messages can demonstrate that they are compliant with the original , that is, that they objectively come from the sender indicated as such. It is clear that, to keep this condition linear, all the necessary checks are made from a technical point of view. For example, the person presenting a screenshot could have easily tampered with it from a photographic point of view, modifying the element. Such as the sentences reported or the sender of the message.
In criminal matters, however, messages regarding whatsapp and other chats such as those of the application fall under Article 2304. Which provides for the possibility of acquiring documents . Including digital communications, to determine facts for the purposes of judgment. In general, the Court of Cassation has established that WhatsApp messages are in any case computer traces . And therefore documents in all respects. Which become admissible as evidence, provided that they are not manipulated.
These details are important for everyone, especially for the very young who make extensive use of online chats. And who obviously need to understand very well that what they write at any given moment is not a game, that it is not a joke. But can have serious repercussions in certain contexts.https://youtu.be/u1IOIXfOQWs?si=KptIk0c5AR3lwll7