Threats Without Borders - Incidentals
Threats Without Borders - Incidentals
Can you trust a screenshot?
TL:DR - A video to show how easy it is to change online content and spread misinformation with a screenshot.
Through the recent mid-term election cycle, I saw many attempts to dirty a candidate through something they allegedly posted online. In some cases, years ago.
The evidence presented was always in the form of a screenshot and never a direct link to an actual tweet or other social media posting. These screenshots are quickly shared across the Internet and become the current truth, whether the content is true – or not.
Never trust a screen grab and certainly not accept one as hard evidence of something someone did – or said – on the Internet - without some additional form of authentication.
Is a screenshot of digital content admissible as evidence?
Under the Federal Rules of Evidence and in most state courts, screenshots are admissible but should be used only as a last resort.
The courts have recognized that many things posted on the Internet are there one minute and gone the next. They have also recognized that postings and chats can be set to auto-delete such as with Snapchat and Signal. Companies like Telegram have structured their business model to never cooperate with a government search warrant, so screenshots are essentially the only way to collect evidence of a message or content on the platform.
Screenshots will generally be accepted by courts when a witness testifies they created the screenshot or when metadata exists to corroborate the creation. Another method to validate a screenshot is through the use of external media that is self-authenticating. The screenshot of an online newspaper posting can be verified by a hardcopy printing of the same edition.
It’s best to be suspect of a screenshot until it can be validated as true.
Screenshots are great investigative leads to point you in the right direction but poor evidence to get you the conviction.
The biggest problem with screenshots is they lead many of us into the pit of gossip, lies, and misinformation.
How easy is it to create and share false information?
For those with browsers that hide remote content - there is an embedded video in this post. Copy and paste - [[https://youtu.be/wpBAqmc8eLg]] without the brackets.