This article focuses specifically on creating a social media collection request. For a high-level overview of all available data request types (phone, email, social media, and more), see How to create a data request (overview).

When you create a new case, you’ll automatically be taken to the Create Data Collection Request page. If you’re setting up the request immediately after creating a case, skip to Step 2 below.

If you need to add additional requests later (for example, for multiple custodians or email accounts), you can create them from the Case Data tab using the steps below.

From within the case, click the Data Request tab in the left sidebar to open your request dashboard. Then click New Request to create a new email collection request.

Under Search Format, select one of the following options.

The custodian will manually choose which social media messages to share. You do not have the ability to pre-define any search parameters.

Share All: Share All enables the client to click Share All Message Threads from their social media account. If Share All is not enabled, it disables this ability.

Date Filters: Inputting a specified date range limits the collected data to within that date range.

Preset search queries that will run automatically once the extraction completes. Matching contact names or handles will be collected without the custodian needing to search and select.

Require Client Approval: Although the search and selection of messages are automatically completed, the custodian will receive a summary of what will be collected and must click an approval button before the messages are uploaded.

Allow Additional Sharing: Allows the custodian to search for, select, and upload additional messages without altering or removing any of the pre-defined queries.

Date Filters: Inputting a specified date range limits the collected data to within that date range.

Select social media accounts and then proceed to the next step.

Select social media accounts, input search parameters, and then proceed to the next step.

Enter the custodian’s name and email.

If the collection is being done in person, mark Do not send automated instruction email to suppress the automated email invitation for remote collections.

Click Create to finalize the data collection request, create the extraction code, and trigger the email invitation to the client (for remote collections).

After creation, you will be redirected to the Data Requests tab. From here, you can:

The custodian will receive instructions via email from [email protected] to complete their collection if contact details were included.

You can return to the Data Requests tab anytime to monitor completion status or create new requests.