SIRIUS SPoC network meets as EU enters new era for electronic evidence

The 7th SIRIUS Single Point of Contact (SPoC) Network Meeting, organised by Europol’s EU Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) together with the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt), took place in Berlin on 15-16 September 2026. The event brought together 70 representatives from law enforcement authorities from across Europe and 50 representatives from 29 different global service providers to address the increasingly complex and evolving landscape of cross-border access to electronic evidence. This year’s SPoC Network Meeting focused on the EU e-Evidence Legislative Package. Electronic evidence plays a role in a growing share of criminal investigations and is frequently held by service providers located in another jurisdiction. Effective access depends not only on appropriate legal instruments, but also on trusted contacts, specialist expertise and efficient cooperation between investigators, judicial authorities and private sector. Single Points of Contact (SPoCs) play a pivotal role in facilitating this cooperation. By centralising expertise and communication with service providers, SPoCs help improve the quality and consistency of requests, reduce duplication and support authorities in navigating complex legal and technical requirements. From preparation to practice This year’s meeting took place at a defining moment for electronic evidence in Europe. Since 18 August 2026, Regulation (EU) 2023/1543 on European Production Orders and European Preservation Orders for electronic evidence has been applicable across the European Union, establishing a new legal framework for obtaining electronic evidence from service providers in cross-border criminal investigations. Against this new operational setting, the SPoC Network meeting provided practitioners with a timely opportunity to exchange initial experiences, identify emerging practical challenges and further strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors. The meeting enabled SPoCs and service providers to take stock of this transition and exchange operational knowledge following the first weeks of application of the new e-Evidence framework. Participants discussed early experiences and practical considerations arising from the new environment – which is characterised by varying levels of implementation among different Member States. The evolving role of SPoC units and the importance of continued dialogue between the authorities seeking electronic evidence and the companies holding it were central to the network’s discussions. Responding to an evolving digital environment The meeting also looked beyond the implementation of the e-Evidence framework to emerging technologies and online environments that are increasingly relevant to criminal investigations. Recognising the growing digitalisation of crime and the rapid adoption of new technologies by criminal networks, participants exchanged expertise on a range of operational topics. Discussions addressed the use of artificial intelligence in the context of criminal investigations, the investigative potential of push notification tokens, and the particular challenges posed by gaming platforms, including approaches to prevention, detection and response. These exchanges highlighted the need for law enforcement authorities and service providers to continuously adapt their expertise and cooperation mechanisms as technologies, online services and criminal methods evolve.