Original editorial explainer / comment. Screenshots and exported messages can mislead when detached from their origins.
The context
Electronic records may contain time zones, metadata, edits and partial conversation histories. A screenshot rarely proves every element of the event it appears to depict.
Our analysis
Preserving original files, documenting how they were obtained and recording what is missing can be as important as reading the visible text. Editors should avoid publishing personal or sensitive information simply because it appears in a source file.
What to watch
Before publication, check authenticity where possible, minimise unnecessary personal data and describe evidential limits plainly.
Editorial note: This is an original explainer, not a report of a newly investigated incident. It should not be read as a finding about any particular person or company.
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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