Bridging borders, streamlining justice, balancing interests. The e-Evidence package journey: from a troubled origin storyto an uncertain future

The increase in unlawful activities involving online platforms underscores the crucial role of digital evidence in judicial investigations. However, law enforcement and judicial authorities face significant challenges in accessing it. These challenges are particularly pronounced when digital evidence is stored on foreign infrastructures or held by service providers outside the investigation’s jurisdiction, as both existing judicial cooperation mechanisms and informal agreements between authorities and service providers have proven inadequate. The EU’s e-Evidence pack-age marks a significant development aimed at addressing these challenges. However, despite its innovative nature, it is not without complications. This article explores the main features of the e-Evidence package, emphasising the components that support its functionality. After detailing the system and clarifying its complex elaboration process, the article assesses the potential of the current legal framework to meet its objectives. It focuses on operational aspects and identifies potential issues that may arise during implementation, which could impact its effectiveness