IPCO Annual Report 2017
Error Investigation 6
Responsible Party
Public Authority
Human or Technical
Human
Cause
Misinterpretation of data
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to 2 IP address
Description
A report was sent to a public authority concerning the sexual
exploitation of two children. The report provided sufficient information
for the public authority to try and establish a customer name and postal
address based on the IPs used to make this inappropriate contact.
Two IP address resolutions were submitted. In one the applicant
incorrectly linked the IP address used to first register an account to
the time and date of its last known activity. A gap of 5 months. In
the other an accurate application had been made. The CSP provided
details of two different customers, with the details for one clearly
pointing suspicion upon them. No link could be found between the
two customers save living in the same area. Despite this, police visited
both addresses simultaneously and arrested a male at the home where
suspicion was strongest. This male who later confessed.
At the second house no arrests were made.
Consequence
Search warrant executed at the home of an innocent family.
Devices seized for examination.
Error Investigation 7
Responsible Party
Public Authority
Human or Technical
Human
Cause
Transposition
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to an IP address
Description
A public authority was trying to locate a vulnerable missing person.
Details of an online username were correctly obtained. During an
urgent verbal request an extra letter became added to the username.
As a consequence details of an innocent person were obtained albeit
with the same last name as the missing person.
A public authority then undertook a welfare visit only to find the person
had no connection to the missing person.
Consequence
Police visited the premise of an individual unconnected to their search.
Delayed welfare check.
Missing person was found safe and well.
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