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How your digital footprint can be used as court evidence
January 22, 2026
|The Star
SOUTH Africans are being warned that what they share, send or record on digital platforms can and is being used as evidence in court.
This can include your private WhatsApp chats, social media rants an even fitness app data.The warning comes after growing legal commentary, highlighting how courts are increasingly admitting social media content and app-generated data in both civil and criminal cases. The reality is that most communication now happens online, and the law has adapted accordingly. In simple terms, “online” does not mean informal and deleting something does not mean it disappears forever.
Below is a breakdown of common platforms and what courts are likely to accept as evidence.
What courts may use:
® Messages and group chats.
Voice notes.
Photos and videos.
Timestamps and message histories.
Why it matters
هذه القصة من طبعة January 22, 2026 من The Star.
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