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Q
Can Instagram DMs be used as evidence of an affair?
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I discovered that my spouse was secretly contacting someone through Instagram. However, it seems the DM contents may have been deleted, and I would like to know whether such Instagram conversations can also be used as evidence of an affair. I would also like to know whether there is a way for me to check or secure them myself.
Evidence of an affair
Answer to Related Inquiry
Author: 정찬우
Instagram DMs can be used as evidence of an affair, and they are in fact one of the important pieces of digital evidence frequently used in affair-related cases.
Instagram DMs are not simply stored only on the phone; because they are structured so that records remain on the Instagram server, there are many cases where recovery and verification are possible even if they appear to have been deleted.
Generally, the DMs shown on the phone screen display only about 20 messages at most per conversation partner in a limited way.
Therefore, to secure evidence of an affair, the key is to secure the entire conversation record by using the 'data download' function provided by Instagram.
If you request Profile -> Settings -> Security -> Data Download in the Instagram app, your entire activity history is sent to your registered email, and this includes the DM conversation content in the form of an HTML file.
The Instagram conversation content downloaded in this way retains the date, the time, and the account information of the other party, so it has high credibility as evidence of an affair.
In particular, if emotional conversations, promises to meet, and expressions of affection are confirmed, they become important material for proving the act of infidelity.
If access to the account is difficult, or intentional deletion is suspected, you can secure more evidence of an affair through a digital forensic investigation of the mobile device concerned.
The important point is to take action quickly before the evidence is damaged, and the initial response determines the success or failure of securing evidence of an affair.
Therefore, organizing the materials with the help of an expert from the early stages can lead to a more stable response.
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GeunSu KIM
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Experience as chief prosecutor of Seoul Eastern Branch and chief prosecutor of Busan District Prosecutors' Office
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