Website archiving for legally secure documentation, compliance, and evidence preservation.
Web content is constantly changing – yet this very dynamics makes it all the more important to archive certain content intentionally. Whether as proof, for documentation purposes, or as evidence in legal disputes.
But the question arises: How can websites be archived correctly to serve as valid evidence? A simple screenshot is often not enough, as its integrity can easily be questioned. Rather, more comprehensive and secure methods are needed to ensure the integrity and immutability of the data. WARC files or static HTML copies with checksums and timestamps are just a few of the options available to you. How exactly these methods work and why they are so important will be explained in this blog post.
In addition to the technical implementation, you will receive useful tips and numerous practical examples that will help you archive websites in a legally secure manner.
Renick Büttner
Senior Software Engineer & Certified IT-Expert · Working in IT since 2014.
How can one archive a website in a legally secure manner?
In light of the challenges of proving evidence in the digital realm, the question arises: How can a website be archived as evidence without compromising its integrity? A static copy, alongside classic screenshots, represented by formats such as WARC (Web ARChive) or HTML, is the means of choice.
A screenshot alone does not usually meet the requirements for securing evidence. Such image files can easily be manipulated with image editing software and do not provide a technical basis for integrity verification. Therefore, it is recommended to resort to more comprehensive archiving techniques.
WARC as a Standard: The Web ARChive format (WARC) is an internationally recognized format for archiving web content. It not only saves the visible content of a page but also all associated metadata. This allows for the reconstruction of the page in a state that corresponds to the original delivery by the server.
When using WARC or static copies, checksums such as SHA1 can be generated. These ensure that the content has not been altered afterward. Versioning along with a timestamp provides additional security and traceability. Thus, every intervention or change is made visible.
Third Parties and Independent Audits: Anyone who wants to be completely sure should consider involving an independent third party in the process. Similar to the regulations in the GoBD regarding the immutable storage of documents, this can significantly increase the trustworthiness of the archiving process.
Another step to secure archiving can be achieved by using external services like Archive.org. An external copy on such platforms provides an extra layer of security regarding the traceability and integrity of the archived content.
Automation for Regular Archiving: If you often find yourself needing to archive websites, there are automated solutions that can be integrated into your existing processes. We can advise you and implement a suitable solution for your use case. Feel free to contact us.
How can archiving be legally secure?
When it comes to securely archiving digital evidence, it is crucial to demonstrably ensure the integrity of the content. In traditional Document Management Systems (DMS), files are stored in a tamper-proof manner. Once a file is in the system, a user cannot make changes or delete it afterwards. However, a DMS can be complex or unsuitable for working with archived websites, depending on the use case.
We offer you a significantly simpler and more user-friendly solution: Through our web interface, you simply enter the URL of a website, which is then automatically archived in the background. The contents are provided with a checksum and stored unchangeably – interference or subsequent modifications are excluded. An integrated preview allows access to the archived version at any time – ideal for proof, documentation obligations, or legal requirements. Additionally, you can download a complete preview version and view it offline on your computer.
Our solution can be flexibly adjusted to your individual requirements. For example, automated archiving of certain URLs according to a defined schedule is possible. Furthermore, differentiated access rights can be set up for multiple end users – ideal for use in teams or organizations with different responsibilities.
Developed for lawyers and compliance departments
Our solution is specifically aimed at lawyers and compliance officers who rely on reliable and legally secure documentation in their daily work. Whether for evidence preservation, meeting regulatory requirements, or the seamless archiving of relevant web content – our tool provides you with a simple, user-friendly, and simultaneously tamper-proof way to permanently save web pages. With no technical hurdles and all the features you need for professional archiving.
