Discovery Requests for WhatsApp Messages: A Paralegal's Complete Guide

You've just received a discovery request that includes WhatsApp messages. The deadline is in two weeks. Your supervising attorney needs production-ready documents. This guide walks you through the entire process—from collecting the export to creating a compliant document production.

Understanding WhatsApp in Discovery

WhatsApp messages are increasingly common in discovery requests, especially in:

• Employment disputes: Workplace communications, harassment claims
• Commercial litigation: Contract negotiations, business dealings
• Family law: Custody communications, support discussions
• Personal injury: Accident-related communications

Unlike email, WhatsApp presents unique challenges: messages exist on mobile devices, exports are in non-standard formats, and media files require special handling.

Step 1: Identify Responsive Custodians

Before collecting anything, identify:

• Which clients/witnesses have relevant WhatsApp conversations
• The date range specified in the discovery request
• Specific parties or topics mentioned in the request
• Whether group chats are included in the scope

Step 2: Collect WhatsApp Exports

Guide your client or witness through the export process:

On iPhone:

1. Open WhatsApp → Go to the relevant chat
2. Tap the contact/group name at top
3. Scroll down → Tap "Export Chat"
4. Select "Attach Media" (include all images, videos, voice messages)
5. Email the .zip file to yourself or save to cloud storage

On Android:

1. Open WhatsApp → Navigate to the chat
2. Tap the three dots (⋮) → More → Export chat
3. Select "Include Media"
4. Choose your sharing method

What You'll Receive:

• A .txt file containing all messages with timestamps
• A folder of media files (if included)
• Everything packaged in a .zip archive

Step 3: Convert to Production Format

Raw WhatsApp exports are not suitable for production. They need to be converted to a standard, readable format:

1. Go to PrintChat.app
2. Upload the .zip or .txt file
3. Select Legal Transcript format
4. Generate the PDF

Why Legal Transcript Format?

• Professional appearance suitable for court filing
• Clear timestamp and sender on every message
• Pagination for easy reference (e.g., "See Ex. A, p. 47")
• Media references linked to actual files

Step 4: Review for Privilege

Before production, review all messages for:

Attorney-Client Privilege

• Communications with attorneys seeking legal advice
• Forwarded attorney communications
• Discussions about ongoing litigation strategy

Work Product Doctrine

• Documents prepared in anticipation of litigation
• Attorney mental impressions or strategies

Other Protections

• Trade secrets or confidential business information
• Personal health information (HIPAA)
• Information protected by protective order

Step 5: Create a Privilege Log

For any withheld messages, create a privilege log entry:

PRIVILEGE LOG ENTRY

Document ID: WA-001
Date: [Message Date]
From: [Sender Name/Number]
To: [Recipient Name/Number]
Type: WhatsApp Message
Subject Matter: [General description without revealing content]
Privilege Claimed: Attorney-Client Privilege / Work Product
Basis: [Brief explanation]

Example Entries:

WA-001 | 03/15/2025 | J. Smith to M. Johnson | WhatsApp Message
"Communication with counsel regarding contract dispute"
Privilege: Attorney-Client Privilege

WA-002 | 03/16/2025 | M. Johnson to J. Smith | WhatsApp Message
"Discussion of litigation strategy"
Privilege: Attorney-Client / Work Product

Step 6: Redact Non-Responsive Content

If a conversation contains both responsive and non-responsive messages:

• Redact purely personal or irrelevant portions
• Mark redactions clearly (e.g., "[REDACTED - Non-Responsive]")
• Maintain context around responsive messages
• Document your redaction criteria

Step 7: Bates Stamp and Organize

For formal production:

1. Apply Bates numbers to each page (e.g., SMITH_000001)
2. Create an index listing each document
3. Organize by custodian and date
4. Include a cover letter describing the production

Time Comparison: Manual vs. PrintChat

Responding to Common Opposing Counsel Objections

"The format is not searchable"

Response: PrintChat PDFs are fully text-searchable. The PDF/A format ensures long-term accessibility.

"We need the native format"

Response: WhatsApp's native export is a .txt file with a media folder. This can be produced alongside the PDF if requested, but the PDF provides superior readability.

"How do we know this is complete?"

Response: WhatsApp's export function captures the entire conversation. The export includes all messages between the specified parties during the chat's existence.

Best Practices Checklist

• ☐ Issue litigation hold immediately upon learning of relevant WhatsApp communications
• ☐ Document the collection process (who, when, what device)
• ☐ Export with media to capture all relevant content
• ☐ Use Legal Transcript format for production
• ☐ Review for privilege before production
• ☐ Create privilege log for withheld documents
• ☐ Apply consistent Bates numbering
• ☐ Maintain original exports as source files
• ☐ Document your processing methodology