Short message data is an increasingly important source of evidence in litigation and investigations because so much communication takes place through sources like SMS and MMS texts and platforms like WhatsApp, Slack, and Teams.

The data also presents some challenges. Some might feel like they're having deja vu as when discovery went from paper to email. For example, the volume of data collected from communication and collaboration apps may appear overwhelming compared to collecting email inboxes in the same way that collecting email inboxes felt overwhelming to litigations accustomed to paper discovery. Other challenges are more novel. For example, misspellings, abbreviations, and non-text communications like GIFs and emojis can make it difficult to review efficiently.

Legal Technology to the Rescue Once Again

This is where legal technology can step in. Tools like Relativity Short Message Format (RSMF) streamline the management and review of short message data in eDiscovery.

RSMF offers a comprehensive solution for handling short message data:

• Structured Collection: RSMF standardizes data from various messaging platforms into a consistent format, making it easier to analyze and review.
  
  
• Conversation Threading: Messages are presented in chronological order, with clear identification of participants, for a clear picture of the conversation flow.
  
  
• Metadata Extraction: RSMF captures valuable metadata like timestamps, sender/recipient information, and message type to add context.
  
  
• Advanced Review Tools: RSMF integrates with review platforms, allowing legal teams to efficiently search, filter, and tag relevant messages.

These features empower legal teams to build a stronger case by systematically extracting and analyzing relevant messages that might otherwise be overlooked. The technology also significantly improves the speed of the review, allowing the litigators to turn data into insights more quickly, and saving significant hourly costs for the client.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why short message data has become as a critical component of modern communication, and thus, litigation and investigations. Its prevalence in our daily lives has transformed it from an optional data source to an essential one. However, the challenges associated with managing and extracting value from this data could be hindered.

Legal technology, like RSMF, has revolutionized the way legal teams approach short message data. By streamlining the process, these tools empower legal professionals to efficiently uncover crucial evidence hidden within seemingly chaotic conversations. The result is a more effective, cost-efficient, and data-driven approach to litigation and investigations.

Short message data is no longer an afterthought in the discovery process. It is a rich and valuable source of information that, when properly managed and analyzed, can significantly impact case outcomes.