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Original poster

WhatsApp Conversation kept for evidence has gone.

29 replies

Autisticbum · 13/09/2023 05:47

I had something dodgy (illegal) happen with ex-dp and so I had kept the WhatsApp conversation as evidence should it be required but I only screenshotted their responses as I believed mine were safe within the app.

I archived the conversation but didn’t block him. About 6months to a year later I got a strange random message which I left on unread for quite a long time as the event had been quite traumatic and I wasn’t ready to face it or him.

When ex-dp started spreading lies about the incident (creating somewhat of a Streisand effect as I hadn’t told anyone). I went back to my WhatsApp conversation to get a copy of what was actually said - both my messages alongside their messages, only the entire section of conversation I needed had gone, my messages too. The friendly messages that came before it were still there and so was the strange one I’d left on unread after it, just all the incriminating evidence chat between the two of us had gone. It included him admitting to the illegal event.

There was nothing in back up. Everything I’ve read has said this is impossible. It makes no sense that only the needed incriminating section has been deleted but nothing else has. How is this even possible?

Have they been able to hack WhatsApp so that even my messages could be deleted from their end? It wasn’t a group chat just me and him. I’m confused and angry. I should have reported him at the time but just couldn’t and now I have lost the evidence I never can.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to delete an entire section of a conversation including the other persons responses in WhatsApp months after it happened?

OP posts:
Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 06:09

Op

you had evidence of your partner engaging in illegal activity and you didn’t take it to police but instead archived it. And only now want to use it because your ex is “spreading lies” about you?

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 06:10

If a new message from that chat comes the chat will becomes unarchive automatically.

Original poster
Autisticbum · 13/09/2023 06:26

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 06:09

Op

you had evidence of your partner engaging in illegal activity and you didn’t take it to police but instead archived it. And only now want to use it because your ex is “spreading lies” about you?

I was raped and I couldn’t bring myself to go to the police. I was trying to gather strength to report it and each time I tried I bottled it.

OP posts:
Fargoer · 13/09/2023 06:29

I’m so sorry this happened to you OP

i have no idea about WA but can you not use the screenshots if your ex admits fault in them?

Original poster
Autisticbum · 13/09/2023 06:38

Fargoer · 13/09/2023 06:29

I’m so sorry this happened to you OP

i have no idea about WA but can you not use the screenshots if your ex admits fault in them?

I do have his screen shots but out of context the evidence isn’t so strong.

OP posts:
Igmum · 13/09/2023 06:45

So sorry this happened to you OP. Have you tried contacting WhatsApp support?

Milomonster · 13/09/2023 07:09

WA can be downloaded on a computer. Could he have access that way? Sorry for what you went through m.

Gilmorefurls · 13/09/2023 07:12

Milomonster · 13/09/2023 07:09

WA can be downloaded on a computer. Could he have access that way? Sorry for what you went through m.

Yes this was going to be my question, or has he had any access to your phone without your knowledge? Generally with WhatsApp the only way for someone to see your conversations and edit them is if they have physical access to it. Sorry to hear you've been through this, the screenshot are still something.

Aria20 · 13/09/2023 07:22

@Milomonster how do you download WhatsApp and access someone's messages on a computer? I didn't know you could do that... is there anyway to stop this?

ClaireEclair · 13/09/2023 07:31

There is a chance that WhatsApp will have conversations stored in their back office system. If you contact the police and let them know, they can contact WhatsApp and request the data officially.

if you are looking for your own data you might actually be able to do this through WhatsApp too (ask for all your data). Good luck. Im so sorry you’re having to go through this x

Milomonster · 13/09/2023 07:32

This link will help you to check for linked devices.

I’m pretty sure you would have received a message to authorize download though.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/378279804439436#:~:text=Check%20your%20linked%20devices%20regularly,devices%20linked%20to%20your%20account.

I would have thought it is difficult for ordinary folk to hack WA given the security, but I could be wrong. There may be spyware on your phone also.

determinedtomakethiswork · 13/09/2023 07:34

I am so sorry you were raped. That's absolutely awful. 💐

lking12 · 13/09/2023 07:38

Sorry to hear what happened to you and I can understand you not reporting.

are you in touch again? If WhatsApp content request doesn’t get you what you want etc then maybe text him and say “don’t know how you deleted that conversation but I have screen shots.” And then send him the one you have of his, he might not know you don’t have your own and admit it again? But screenshot everything.

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 08:04

Autisticbum · 13/09/2023 06:26

I was raped and I couldn’t bring myself to go to the police. I was trying to gather strength to report it and each time I tried I bottled it.

Show quote history

I am so sorry to read this however it is very unlikely that WhatsApp messages 6 months ago would be evidence of a rape unless he admitted to it

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 08:06

You can still report OP

in fact you should as he’s capable of doing this to someone else

PeachesoutinGeorgia · 13/09/2023 08:09

I remember watching a solicitor read an entire script of a fb messenger conversation on a train one time so they might be able to get it somehow? Do you back up your conversations to iCloud, maybe try logging in and see if it’s there?

GodspeedJune · 13/09/2023 08:15

Very sorry to hear this has happened to you OP. I hope you have some real life support.

In terms of the messages, I did once find a ‘hack’ to delete messages but that should only work for deleting his own messages. I have no idea how he would have been able to delete yours without accessing your account too.

Wolfpa · 13/09/2023 08:16

I am sorry this has happened to you. Not that this will make things better but there is a function in WhatsApp called disappearing messages. You can set up a time frame and all messages will automatically be deleted. With the strange message that you ignored it is likely to be one telling you this had been turned on rather than him hacking into any of your personal devices.

You can check if this has been turned on in the settings of your conversation with him.

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 08:17

GodspeedJune · 13/09/2023 08:15

Very sorry to hear this has happened to you OP. I hope you have some real life support.

In terms of the messages, I did once find a ‘hack’ to delete messages but that should only work for deleting his own messages. I have no idea how he would have been able to delete yours without accessing your account too.

A “hack” for deleting your own messages?

UsernameWentAWOL · 13/09/2023 08:21

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 08:04

I am so sorry to read this however it is very unlikely that WhatsApp messages 6 months ago would be evidence of a rape unless he admitted to it

Show quote history

This site really does have people who talk absolute bollocks on it at times.

OP I'm so sorry this has happened to you I hope you manage to retrieve the messages and get support to prosecute the bastard.

UniKnow · 13/09/2023 08:39

Open WhatsApp, go to settings and then ‘linked devices’. It’ll show there if your WhatsApp is being accessed elsewhere. If there’s anything you don’t recognise click ‘logout’ immediately.

UniKnow · 13/09/2023 08:45

Actually don’t log out immediately, take a screen shot of what it shows as your linked devices as this could be needed as evidence.

BeverleyMacker · 13/09/2023 09:03

There's got to be a way of getting the messages back. After all experts can find deleted stuff from computers when wanting to arrest someone.

PoleaxedAndSome · 13/09/2023 09:14

‘I am so sorry to read this however it is very unlikely that WhatsApp messages 6 months ago would be evidence of a rape unless he admitted to it’

It is so inappropriate and unhelpful to spread disinformation in this type of situation, as if the report rates aren’t poor enough already. A friendly mumsnet reminder - people on the internet do not necessarily know anywhere near enough about the subject they’ve waded in to.

marymungoNminge · 13/09/2023 11:39

The sender of the messages can delete the messages. If he sent the messages to you if you hold down the message it says 'remove for me / remove for everybody' he's probably done that. WhatsApp still probably have those messages stored though.

What an absolute scumbag. He's tried to diminish your chance to report him.
I hope you've got enough support OP and find the strength to report him. Just awful.