Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner - 2016
Error Investigation 4
Error by:
Public Authority
Human or
Technical:
Human
Cause:
IP address misheard or mis-stated during an urgent oral
application.
Data Acquired:
Subscriber information relating to an IP address.
Description:
A police force was trying to locate a missing person. Enquiries
identified that they had used the internet after being reported
missing. Details of the IP address, date and time were verbally
passed by an officer to the SPoC. The third to last digit of the
IP address was said or heard incorrectly. An application for
subscriber information was made based upon the incorrect
IP address. The result returned a name and address from
within the same area as the missing person. The police force
undertook a welfare visit but found the occupants to have no
connection to the missing person.
Consequence:
The Police visited the premises of individuals unconnected to
the search and the incorrect avenue of inquiry slowed down
the investigation. Despite the error, the missing person was
found safe and well.
Error Investigation 5
Error by:
Public Authority
Human or
Technical:
Human
Cause:
Transposition error
Data Acquired:
Subscriber information relating to an IP address.
68
@iocco_oversight