116
IPCO Annual Report 2017
Error Investigation 4
Responsible Party
Public Authority
Human or Technical
Human
Cause
Misinterpretation of data
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to an IP address
Description
Investigation into the uploading of indecent images of children (IIOC)
identified offending IP address, time and date. From the original data
the applicant strung the IP address time and date into one continuous
set of figures 12.123.345.1519/04/2011@09:09:09. Instead of the
application being 12.123.345.15 on 19/04/2011@09:09:09 the
application read 12.123.345.151 on 09/04/2011@09:09:09.
(NB – fictitious addresses used)
The result was passed to another force for action.
These events took place in 2011 and not reported as an error to IOCCO
in accordance with the code of practice.
Consequence
Innocent person arrested and interviewed.
Error Investigation 5
Responsible Party
Public Authority
Human or Technical
Human
Cause
Misinterpretation of data
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to an IP address
Description
A report was sent to a public authority detailing concern for the welfare
and safety of a young child. The report provided sufficient information
for the public authority to try and establish a postal address for when
this concern was first raised.
The application made an incorrect assumption when it linked the IP
address used to first register the account to the time and date of the
concern. A gap of 8 months.
The result brought back a customer living in the same county as the
information suggested.
Consequence
Police visited the premise of a household unconnected to their
investigation.
Application corrected and actual address established.