How do I prove defamation online?

To prove online defamation, you need to preserve the defamatory content with verifiable timestamps before the poster deletes it. A plain screenshot is not enough -- courts increasingly require authentication under FRE 901. ProofSnap captures a 13-file forensic package with SHA-256 hash (proves content wasn't altered), blockchain timestamp (proves when it existed), and full metadata (proves where it came from). This meets the authentication standards courts require.

Are screenshots admissible as evidence in court?

Courts increasingly reject plain screenshots. In Moroccanoil v. Marc Anthony Cosmetics, Facebook screenshots were ruled inadmissible because there was no way to verify they were an exact representation of the live content. In Griffin v. State (Md. 2011), social media printouts were rejected for lack of authentication. ProofSnap creates forensic evidence with blockchain timestamps and digital signatures that meet FRE 901 authentication requirements.

What evidence do I need for a cyberbullying case?

For a cyberbullying case, capture: 1) Every harassing message or post -- full page, not just a crop. 2) The bully's profile page showing username, followers, and account age. 3) Comments, replies, and shares showing reach and impact. 4) Your reports to the platform -- before they respond. 5) Any related posts or accounts showing a pattern of behavior. Capture before reporting to the platform, as content may be removed once reported.

How do I preserve social media evidence before it's deleted?

Install ProofSnap, navigate to the content, and click capture. In 41 seconds, you get a 13-file forensic package with blockchain timestamp, SHA-256 hash, and chain of custody. The evidence exists independently of the platform -- even if the poster deletes the content, your timestamped forensic capture proves it existed. Do NOT report the content first -- capture it before it disappears.

Can deleted social media posts be recovered for court?

Generally no. Once a post is deleted from Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok, the platform typically does not provide copies for legal proceedings without a court order or law enforcement subpoena -- and even then, data may already be purged. The only reliable approach is to capture evidence before deletion. ProofSnap creates forensic captures with blockchain timestamps that prove the content existed at a specific moment in time.

What is FRE 901 and how do I authenticate social media evidence?

Federal Rules of Evidence 901 requires that evidence be authenticated -- you must prove it is what you claim it is. For social media, this means proving: (1) the content actually appeared on the platform, (2) it hasn't been altered, and (3) it was posted by the claimed author. In Connecticut v. Eleck, Facebook messages were ruled inadmissible because the defendant claimed a hacked account and there was no forensic authentication. ProofSnap's SHA-256 hash, blockchain timestamp, and metadata capture satisfy FRE 901(b)(9) system integrity requirements.

How much does it cost to capture forensic evidence?

SnapPack: $4.99 for 10 captures. One-time payment. No subscription. Credits never expire. Enough to document a complete case -- the harassing posts, the poster's profile, comments, your reports to the platform, and related content. If you need ongoing captures, subscription plans start at $8.99/month with a 7-day free trial.

Does ProofSnap work with Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and WhatsApp?

Yes. ProofSnap works with every platform you can open in Chrome: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp Web, Snapchat Web, Reddit, YouTube, Glassdoor, Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, Telegram Web, Discord, OnlyFans, and dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge). If it loads in your browser, ProofSnap can capture it.

Can I sue someone for a fake Google or Yelp review?

Yes. If the review contains false statements of fact (not opinions), you may have a defamation claim. You'll need to prove the statement was false, published to others, and caused measurable harm. For anonymous reviewers, attorneys can file a 'John Doe' lawsuit and subpoena the platform for the reviewer's identity. Critical: capture the review with ProofSnap before it's edited or deleted — the forensic timestamp proves the review existed in its original form.

What happens if social media evidence is deleted before I capture it?

Once a post is deleted from Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok, it's typically gone. Google's cached pages were phased out in 2024, Bing's cache is no longer accessible, and the Wayback Machine wasn't designed for dynamic social media content. Your only reliable option is to capture evidence before deletion. If the opposing party deletes evidence after litigation is foreseeable, that constitutes spoliation — but you can only prove spoliation if you preserved a copy first.

How are courts handling deepfake and AI-generated evidence?

Courts are actively adapting. A proposed FRE Rule 901(c) would require parties to disclose if evidence was AI-generated. A proposed Rule 707 would create a specific framework for AI evidence authentication. In the meantime, FRE 901 authentication requirements — proving content integrity and origin — are the standard. ProofSnap's SHA-256 hash and blockchain timestamp provide the cryptographic proof that content existed in a specific form at a specific time, regardless of whether it's challenged as AI-generated.

Are screenshots admissible as evidence in court?

Courts increasingly reject plain screenshots. In Moroccanoil v. Marc Anthony, Facebook screenshots were ruled inadmissible. In Griffin v. State, social media printouts were rejected for lack of authentication. Courts require forensic evidence meeting FRE 901 standards — cryptographic hashes, verified timestamps, and chain of custody.

Forensic evidence for defamation, cyberbullying & online harassment — individuals, influencers & businesses

They posted lies. They'll delete the evidence. Capture it first.

You take a screenshot. But courts reject screenshots — anyone can edit them in 30 seconds. ProofSnap captures the full page with blockchain timestamp, digital signature, and chain of custody. Evidence that holds up when screenshots don't.

Capture evidence now — 7 days free Already have a situation? →

7 days free, then from $4.99 (one-time) or $8.99/mo

From $4.99 (one-time) · Available on Chrome Web Store · Used in 30+ countries

ProofSnap Chrome extension — full-page capture, video recording, EU qualified timestamp (eIDAS), and Trust Verifier

Files per evidence package

41s

Per capture

$4.99

One-time (SnapPack)

30+

Countries

Available on Chrome Web Store · No access to your personal data · Installs in 30 seconds

Common situations:

Defamation · Cyberbullying · Online harassment · Fake reviews · Revenge content · Workplace slander

Already dealing with this? Capture these 5 things NOW.

Important: Do NOT report the content to the platform yet. Once reported, it may be removed before you can capture it. Do NOT take a screenshot — courts reject them. Capture forensic evidence first, report second.

The defamatory/harassing post itself — full page, not just a crop. Include the URL, date, and all visible content. The poster's profile page — username, followers, account age. Proves who posted it. Comments and engagement — replies, shares, likes showing reach. Demonstrates the harm caused. Your messages/reports to the platform — before they respond. Proves you took action. Any related posts or accounts — a pattern of behavior strengthens your case significantly.

Why screenshots won't work: In Moroccanoil v. Marc Anthony, Facebook screenshots were ruled inadmissible. In Griffin v. State, social media printouts were rejected. Courts require forensic authentication — ProofSnap provides it automatically in every capture.

Capture evidence now — 7 days free

Installs in 30 seconds. First capture in under 2 minutes. All 5 items captured in 10 minutes.

6 situations where screenshots won't hold up in court

Every one of these situations has the same problem: the content will be deleted, and a screenshot won't hold up.

Online Defamation

Someone posted false statements about you. They'll delete when confronted or sued. You need timestamped proof it existed.

Evidence needed: post, profile, comments, shares, URL

Cyberbullying

Your child is being targeted. The bully will delete everything once reported. Don't report yet — capture first.

Evidence needed: messages, posts, profile, timestamps

Read full cyberbullying evidence guide →

Online Harassment & Stalking

Repeated unwanted contact, threats, or intimidation. Each instance needs a timestamped capture.

Evidence needed: messages, posts, accounts, pattern of behavior

Fake Reviews & Business Defamation

A competitor or disgruntled customer posted false claims about your business. The platform may or may not remove it — you need evidence either way.

Evidence needed: review, profile, date, platform

See brand protection evidence →

Revenge Content

Intimate images or private information shared without consent. Capture before the platform takes it down — you need evidence for law enforcement.

Evidence needed: post, account, URL, metadata

Workplace Defamation

A colleague or employer posted false statements about your professional conduct on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or internal channels.

Evidence needed: post, profile, comments

What you get: 13 files. One click.

Everything captured in 41 seconds. Downloaded as a ZIP. Ready for your lawyer, police, or court.

screenshot.jpeg

Full-page screenshot

page.html

Complete page source code

metadata.json

URL, IP, headers, TLS, cookies

forensic_log.json

Complete forensic log

chain_of_custody.json

Verifiable chain of custody

manifest.json.ots

Blockchain timestamp

manifest.sig

Digital signature (detects tampering)

recording.webm

Video of capture process

evidence.pdf

Evidence certificate PDF

domtextcontent.txt

Extracted page text

manifest.json

Manifest with SHA-256 hashes

publickey.pem

Verification public key

The complete package downloads as a ZIP file. Ready for your lawyer, police, or court submission.

Capture evidence now — 7 days free

7 days free, then from $4.99 (one-time) or $8.99/mo

Your screenshot vs. what courts actually require

The person who defamed you will claim the screenshot is fabricated. Their lawyer will argue it's inadmissible. Courts agree — because anyone can edit a screenshot in 30 seconds.

Your screenshot

No timestamp — when was it taken?
Editable in 30 seconds (Photoshop, DevTools)
No metadata, no URL verification
No chain of custody
Just 1 image file
Rejected by courts in multiple rulings

ProofSnap evidence package

Blockchain timestamp — immutable proof of exact moment
Digital signature that detects any tampering
Full metadata: URL, IP, headers, TLS certificate, cookies
Forensic log + chain of custody
13 files: screenshot, HTML, DOM, PDF, metadata, video
Meets FRE 901 authentication requirements

Works with: Instagram · Facebook · X · TikTok · LinkedIn · WhatsApp Web · Reddit · YouTube · Glassdoor · and every site that opens in Chrome.

Screenshots are among the most easily contested forms of digital evidence due to how simply they can be manipulated. — Advocate Magazine, July 2025

Real cases. Real money. Real consequences.

Courts award millions for online defamation — but only when the evidence holds up. Screenshots don't.

Defamation verdicts

$10M

TikToker vs. professor — Ashley Guillard accused a university professor of murder based on “tarot readings.” Federal jury, Idaho.

2026

$4M

Cardi B vs. Tasha K — YouTuber spread false claims about drug use and prostitution. N.D. Georgia.

2023

$2.8M

O'Leary vs. BitBoy — crypto influencer accused O'Leary of murder on X. 156K views. Default judgment.

2025–2026

£300K

Sands v. Tattle Life — anonymous gossip forum. Belfast High Court libel damages.

2023 (public 2025)

Cyberbullying convictions

Brigitte Macron — 10 convicted for cyberbullying (January 2026). Sentences up to 8 months. One defendant: 6 months prison.

AFP / France 24

Magali Berdah — 28 convicted, sentences up to 18 months prison. Largest French cyberbullying case in history.

Le Monde / AFP, 2024

Screenshots that failed in court

Moroccanoil v. Marc Anthony

Facebook screenshots ruled inadmissible. No way to verify they matched live content.

C.D. California, 2014

Connecticut v. Eleck

Facebook messages inadmissible. Defendant claimed hacked account. No forensic authentication.

CT Appellate Court, 2011

Griffin v. State

MySpace printouts rejected. Court found screenshots insufficient to authenticate authorship.

MD Court of Appeals, 2011

If it happens to public figures with legal teams, it happens to everyone. Whether you're an influencer, a small business owner, or a parent — the difference is evidence.

For PR agencies, law firms & reputation teams

Your client is under attack. Your team needs to capture evidence in 41 seconds, not 3 hours of manual screenshots and documentation.

41s

vs. 3–5 hours of manual crisis documentation. One click, 13 files, blockchain timestamp, done.

$28.99

/month for unlimited captures. Your entire crisis for less than 15 minutes of a crisis manager's time.

Any team member

Install on every Chrome browser. When the Brandwatch alert hits, anyone can capture — no training needed.

Every capture includes SHA-256 hash, blockchain timestamp, and chain of custody — evidence your client's lawyer can use directly. No forensic expert needed. No $195/mo enterprise tools. No sales calls.

Start 7-day free trial — Enterprise Download sample evidence package (ZIP)

Just one situation? This is all you need.