Smogon Forums

There probably isn't a 100% correct decision, however, it's forbidden to use illegaly gained information and while smogon isn't a court, they're obliged to act by the same rules as any other person or institution. This doesn't seem quite fair regarding what the germans did, it's still what the TDs should have done imo.

The thing is the TDs did not gain the information illegally. There's not great precedent I can think of specifically for this situation, but there are some similarities to other cases where police get information legally (ie they themselves don't break the law to get it) and it can be used even if you don't consent to the search and they don't have a warrant. For example, if a roommate tells the police they can search the room and you're not home, and they search your stuff and find drugs, you can be convicted even though you weren't present and didn't consent to the search.

here's a rough answer to the question, taking quora for what it is lol https://www.quora.com/Is-illegally-obtained-evidence-admissible-in-court-if-it-was-not-obtained-by-law-enforcement

there has actually been a us supreme court case on the topic burdeau v mcdowell. the evidence was legal, they said.