The project analyzes the effectiveness of the new European legal framework in the area of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) in criminal proceedings that require the exchange of electronic evidence (e-evidence).The EU e-evidence package aims to create a legal framework for and facilitate cross-border access to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings. It contains a Regulation (2023/1543), which provides for a Preservation Order and a Production Order for cross-border access to electronic evidence, as well as a Directive (2023/1544) on the appointment of representatives in EU Member States for the purpose of gathering evidence. In addition to the e-evidence legislative package, the finalization of the Second Additional Protocol to the Cypercrime Convention will also be taken into account; however, the latter has not yet been ratified by any of the EU member states involved in the project.

The MAiDA project examines legal and data protection challenges, in particular the role of private service providers and their compliance with European data protection regulations. Specifically, the project aims to critically examine the e-evidence legislative package, identify weaknesses and, if necessary, formulate de-lege-ferenda proposals. MAiDA focuses on the expected consequences of an enhanced public-private partnership in the area of criminal legal assistance. The aim is to develop legal doctrinal opinions on the interpretation of the new rules, policy recommendations and best practice guidelines for judicial and private actors on cross-border cooperation while respecting fundamental rights, as well as to generate valuable empirical data in this area. The project is limited to the EU member states Germany, Austria and Greece.