Electronically stored information

Imagine you have a bunch of things, like toys or clothes. You can see them and touch them with your hands.

Now imagine there are also things you can't see or touch, but they are stored in a special place on a computer. This is called electronically stored information (ESI).

ESI includes things like emails, text messages, pictures, and videos that are saved on phones, laptops, tablets, or other devices. They can also be saved on servers, which are special big computers that store information for lots of people.

ESI is important because it can be evidence in legal cases. For example, if someone did something wrong and there was a text message about it, the text message could be used in court to prove what happened.

To find and use ESI, people use special programs and tools to search and review the information. It's like having a big toy chest and you need a flashlight to look inside and find the toy you want to play with.

Overall, ESI is just like a treasure trove of hidden information that can be very helpful in solving problems and making good decisions.