IPCO Annual Report 2017
Error Investigation 14
Responsible Party
Public Authority
Human or Technical
Human
Cause
Misinterpretation of data
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to an IP address
Description
A public authority received information of sexualised chat taking over
social media involving a minor.
The contact identified the suspect’s username, time/date of its
registration and time/date of the activity. When a RIPA application was
made, the applicant wrongly assigned the time/date of the activity to
the IP address used when registering their account.
These events started in 2015 passed to another public authority in 2016
when the arrest took place.
This error wasn’t reported to IPCO until November 2017.
Consequence
Two innocent persons arrested and interviewed.
Investigation yet to be finalised.
Error Investigation 15
Responsible Party
Public Authority
Human or Technical
Human
Cause
Misinterpretation of data.
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to IP addresses
Description
A public authority ‘s officers identified the Peer to Peer sharing of
indecent images of children by six unique users. In turn this led to the
execution of eight search warrants. When nothing incriminating was
found on any of the devices examined a review was undertaken. This
review found the data upon which all IP address resolutions were based
upon was flawed.
This remains an ongoing IPCO investigation.
Consequence
Search warrants executed upon eight innocent households.
Equipment seized.
Investigation yet to be finalised.
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