IPCO Annual Report 2017
Error Investigation 20
Responsible Party
Communication Service Provider (CSP)
Human or Technical
Technical
Cause
Mismatch of addresses stored within retention records
Data Acquired
Subscriber information relating to an IP address
Description
In two separate investigations (Peer to Peer sharing of indecent images
of children and sexualised contact over social media) application made
to resolve IP address linked to these investigations. In both the results
returned the customers name and a postal address. In one the named
account holder couldn’t be linked to the postal address. In the other
a connection was found but the information was over 10 years ago.
Search warrants were executed 4 months apart with the occupant
at one arrested and at the other devices only were seized. Forensic
examinations revealed nothing from either warrant.
A third investigation 2 months later identified activity at one of the
addresses subject above. Before any action was taken contact with
the CSP was made to check its veracity. Having checked the CSP
concluded a fault was present in a small number of accounts. In these
the installation and billings address has fallen out of sync when updates
had been made. Upon receipt of this information the Public Authority
took no action.
The CSP reviewed 9,500 similar requests records and found another
19 corrupted files. 17 were found to contain accurate data. As regards
the remaining two it transpires that police visited both addresses in
their efforts to locate vulnerable children.
Consequence
Search warrant and arrest of an innocent person.
Search warrant executed at the address of an innocent person.
Delayed welfare checks and visits (2) to homes of persons unconnected
with efforts vulnerable children.
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