130
IPCO Annual Report 2018
Error Investigation 14
Police Force
Human or Technical:
Human (Applicant)
Classification:
Incorrect Time Conversion
Data Acquired:
Subscriber information relating to an Internet Protocol
Address Resolution
Description:
Police Officers investigating sexual offences related to online grooming
applied for communication data to identify all details and internet
addresses associated to the offender’s user name. Accurate data was
provided by the service provider but when preparing applications to
identify the location from which internet services had been accessed, a
conversion to Greenwich Mean Time was required. In doing so, a period
of 5 hours was subtracted instead of being added which led to incorrect
information being obtained and a warrant was subsequently executed
at an innocent’s address. No arrests were made in this instance but
devices were seized and examined.
Consequence:
The IPC decided that this error amounted to serious error (within the
meaning of section 231 IPA). Accordingly, IPCO notified the affected
person of the fact of the serious error and of that person’s right to
apply to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
Error Investigation 15
Telecommunications Operator (TO)
Human or Technical:
Human (TO)
Classification:
Incorrect Data
Data Acquired:
Subscriber information relating to an Internet Protocol
Address Resolution
Description:
Police officers investigating the sharing of indecent images of children
via an online chat room sought communication data to identify
the locations from which internet services had been accessed. The
application submitted contained accurate information and following
authorisation, a notice to supply the information was submitted to the
internet service provider. The data returned identified the relevant
location as a business address, however, after police visited this
company it transpired the data supplied by the telecommunications
operator had been incorrect.
Consequence:
Police made contact with a company unconnected to their
investigation.