Challenges of Data Extraction from Facebook & WhatsApp Applications

Abstract

The increasing reliance on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp in both personal and criminal activities presents critical challenges for digital forensic investigators. This research addresses the problem of data extraction from these applications due to factors such as end-to-end encryption, proprietary data structures, frequent app updates, and legal/privacy restrictions. our goal is to identify the key technical, legal, and procedural obstacles involved in extracting and analyzing data from Facebook and WhatsApp and to propose effective methodologies to overcome them. A qualitative research methodology will be employed, incorporating case study analysis of criminal investigations, forensic tool evaluations, and expert insights from digital forensic professionals. The expected results include a classification of the primary extraction challenges, a comparative analysis of current forensic tools, and recommendations for best practices in handling such data. The significance of this study lies in its potential to enhance the effectiveness of digital investigations, contribute to the development of more efficient forensic tools, and inform law enforcement agencies and policymakers about the limitations and possibilities in social media data extraction.