When many legal professionals think about mobile collections, they still picture a phone being boxed up, shipped across the country, imaged by a forensic examiner, and returned days or weeks later.
According to ModeOne VP of Sales Micah Rasmussen, that perception no longer reflects reality.
In a recent discussion, Micah addressed some of the most common misconceptions legal teams have about modern mobile collections and why organizations are rethinking traditional approaches.
Why Organizations Are Moving Away from Full Device Collections
Historically, collecting a full image of a device was viewed as the safest option. Today, however, that approach creates significant privacy, security, and cost concerns, especially in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments.
Employee devices often contain years of personal information, including family photos, banking details, health information, and private communications that have nothing to do with the matter being investigated. As a result, organizations are increasingly focused on collecting only what is relevant and defensible rather than gathering everything “just in case.”
Mobile Collections No Longer Require Shipping Devices
Modern collection technology allows organizations to remotely collect targeted data directly from a custodian’s device without shipping hardware, sending examiners onsite, or removing the phone from the user’s possession.
Collections can often be limited to specific applications, date ranges, or participants, allowing legal teams to obtain the information they need while minimizing disruption for custodians and reducing privacy concerns.
Faster Timelines, Fewer Logistics
One of the biggest misconceptions is that mobile collections still take weeks to complete.
With remote collection solutions, a custodian can often be contacted, complete the collection, and provide data for review on the same day. What once required multiple vendors, shipping logistics, and extensive coordination can now often be accomplished through a brief remote interaction.
For legal teams facing tight deadlines, that speed can make a significant difference.
The Future Is About Collecting the Right Data
If Micah could change one thing about how the legal industry approaches mobile collections, it would be the belief that more data is always better.
Instead of collecting everything and sorting through it later, organizations should focus on collecting the most relevant data in a way that is defensible, efficient, and respectful of privacy.
As mobile data continues to play a larger role in investigations and litigation, success will depend not on how much information is collected, but on how effectively organizations collect the right information from the start.