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Mobile Data Collection in Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Differences and Navigating the Path Forward
October 16, 2025

ModeOne in the News |  Published by The American Bar Association | Written by Matthew Rasmussen, CEO and Founder, ModeOne

This article explores how investigative needs differ across legal contexts and why a “one-size-fits-all” approach to mobile data collection no longer works. Rasmussen explains how overcollection through full-device imaging can create unnecessary cost, privacy exposure, and legal risk—especially in civil cases. He advocates for a modern, proportional approach that leverages targeted mobile data collection to balance efficiency, defensibility, and privacy. The article underscores a key shift for digital forensics professionals: in civil investigations, less can truly be more.

Read the full article on the American Bar Association’s Law Technology Today.

Download the PDF here.