DIGITAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: KAZAKHSTAN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

 The article examines the features of the legal regulation of digital evidence in criminal proceedings in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union. The relevance of the topic is driven by the growing level of cybercrime and the increasing use of electronic data in criminal investigations. The legal nature of digital evidence, its role in the system of proof, as well as the procedures for collection, fixation, and evaluation in criminal proceedings are analyzed. The study compares Kazakhstan’s approach, based on general provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and flexible law enforcement practice, with the European Union’s model characterized by detailed regulation and standardization. Issues of legal uncertainty, technical capacity, and cross-border access to data are identified. The study concludes with recommendations on improving national legislation, strengthening procedural safeguards, and introducing unified standards for handling digital evidence.

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