You might not pay much attention to whether the things you say on WeChat and other online messaging apps are recorded. But a regulation (规定) that went into effect on May 1 will make everything you say online usable against you in a court of law (法庭).
According to the Supreme People's Court's regulation, text messages, emails, and content posted on websites or instant (即时的) messaging platforms can be used as evidence (证据) in civil lawsuits (民事诉讼).
The idea of digital evidence was first introduced as part of China's Civil Procedure Law in 2012. However, the recent regulation has made it clearer.
"This is the first time the Supreme People's Court has clarified (阐明) the scope of digital evidence, especially on social media platforms and instant messaging services," Li Ya, a lawyer in Beijing, told China Daily.
The regulation was introduced to keep up with changes in social development. Social media activity has become a part of most people's lives. Therefore, digital evidence is playing an increasingly important role in civil and criminal lawsuits.
According to the regulation, if people plan to use digital evidence in a lawsuit, they have to first prove that they use the app or website that the evidence comes from. Second, they must provide an original (原始的) and complete record of the evidence. For example, if you lend somebody money through WeChat, you must keep the original transfer (转账) records and conversations on the app.
However, there are still questions about the regulation. Some point out that the regulation will not necessarily help in every case. "How to make sure a microblog was actually posted by the micro blogger is a challenge," Li said.
