Europe Leads with New Framework for Cross-Border Digital Evidence Access
The e-Evidence Regulation takes effect in Europe, providing a clearer framework for cross-border access to electronic evidence. This regulation will enable participating Member States to serve legal orders directly on technology providers established in another Member State.
Crime increasingly leaves a digital trail, with around 85% of criminal investigations now involving digital data and more than half requiring authorities to seek evidence across borders. The e-Evidence Regulation addresses this issue by establishing common rules for accessing digital evidence across borders.
The regulation is seen as a significant advance in international legal cooperation, led by the EU, demonstrating that sovereign states can establish common rules for accessing digital evidence across borders. Microsoft welcomes this step towards clear global norms for lawful access to data for criminal justice and public safety in the digital age.