Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Annual Report 2019
Error Investigation 13
Telecommunications Operator (TO)
Human or Technical:
Technical
Classification:
Incorrect Data
Data Acquired:
Subscriber information relating to Internet Protocol Address
Resolutions (IPAR).
Description:
A system fault was reported to UK public authorities by an overseas
social networking site. The TO assessed that this could mean that results
from IP address resolution requests might be incorrect. The TO included
a summary of the error in its NCMEC reports to the UK once the fault
had been identified.
In total nine reports from the TO included potentially incorrect data,
which had been passed to public authorities. All of these reports were
investigated by the public authorities to verify the contents;
i. on four of the reports, other corroborative evidence was obtained,
and the original report was believed accurate. Executive action was
taken on two with incriminating evidence found.
ii. the results presented in three reports were cross-checked with other
available data and no action was taken on them in isolation; and
iii. two reports were returned to be actioned again by the TO once the
fault had been resolved. In both cases, viable leads were identified
from the reissued data.
Consequence:
No action was taken without the data having been corroborated or
revalidated. The issue was rectified, and correct data provided swiftly
so that action could be taken as appropriate.
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