What does "message repudiation" refer to in the context of email investigations?

Message repudiation refers to the situation where a sender claims that they did not send a specific message. This concept is particularly significant in email investigations, as it can affect the integrity and accountability of communications. When a sender denies having sent an email, it can lead to disputes about the authenticity of the message and its content, making it a crucial aspect to consider during legal matters or forensic analysis.

In the context of digital communications, message repudiation can occur for several reasons, including unauthorized use of someone else's email account, accidents, or deliberate attempts to mislead. Understanding this concept helps investigators verify communications and discern between legitimate correspondence and potential deception.

The other options do not directly align with the concept of message repudiation. For instance, the inability to verify the sender's identity refers more to issues of authentication rather than repudiation itself. Similarly, features ensuring emails cannot be altered pertain to message integrity and security rather than the act of denying authorship. Lastly, functions used to track email delivery status focus on logistics rather than the legitimacy of the message's origin.