Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Dealing With Deleted, Unsent and Edited ESI 

By Kim Beight Kelly
August 01, 2022

In an increasingly digital society, discovery of electronically stored information (ESI) has become part and parcel of written discovery. In many cases, document productions consist entirely of ESI because the parties communicate almost exclusively through text message and email. While these written communications have the appearance of reliability, technological advances have, over time, rendered many digital communications less static and more open to manipulation. Litigators need to take heed of these advances to properly advise clients and effectively preserve, retrieve and present evidence.

Of note, Apple recently announced that its latest operating system, iOS 16, will allow users to edit and unsend recently sent text messages. The new system is slated to roll out in Fall of 2022. Other platforms (e.g., Outlook, Facebook) have offered the ability to unsend messages for some time. However, the ubiquitous nature of text messages (particularly iMessages) and the additional ability to edit already-sent messages makes Apple's latest announcement particularly noteworthy for litigators dealing with ESI. As practitioners prepare to accommodate this development, they would be well-advised to adjust their e-discovery practices and forms to address deleted, unsent, and edited communications on all platforms.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs Image

The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.