accurate overall picture and would not be as effective as the use of bulk interception in
identifying technologically-sophisticated individuals engaged in online CSE. As in this
example, individuals often use false details to avoid identification and also use multiple
communications methods. It would take significantly more time to obtain results, delaying
the safeguarding of children and giving the offender more time to target more victims.
Case study A8/11
GCHQ
Action
Child sexual exploitation
Summarised in A Question of Trust Annex 9 Case Study 5
GCHQ analysis of bulk interception identified two individuals in Kuwait who were using
social media to groom and blackmail over 100 children, the majority of whom were in the
UK. These individuals forced children into producing self-generated indecent imagery.
Before GCHQ became involved, the NCA had worked with the social media provider to
try to identify the users of the account. They had been able to narrow down the location
of the account user to the Middle East, but could not positively identify the user or the
country in which he was based. GCHQ analysis of communications data obtained
through bulk interception warrants revealed that the user was based in Kuwait, identified
him, and uncovered the fact that another person was also using the same account for
the same purpose. The two individuals were subsequently arrested.
Without bulk interception, it would have taken months or years to identify the individuals
and pass information to the Kuwaiti authorities. The most obvious alternatives, the use of
data obtained from CSPs, has the disadvantages set out in Case Study 10 above.
Case study A8/12
GCHQ
Action
Cocaine trafficking
Between November 2014 and November 2015, GCHQ’s analysis of data obtained under
bulk interception warrants led to significant disruption of the cocaine trafficking trade from
South America and the Caribbean to Europe. This involved the seizure of over 11 tonnes
of cocaine, with an approximate street value of £1.1 billion. The nature of global
communications and the communications methods of those involved in the international
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