800,000 affected by NHS 'computer error'

The NHS Blood and Transfusion service has today apologised for a computer error that lead to database records of over 800,000 people being misunderstood.

The database (used for storing details of organ donation) was found to contain incorrect information regarding the transplant wishes of those 800,000 people. Data had been imported from the DVLA and incorrectly processed so that some people had organs removed without personal consent and vice versa.

The NHS stressed that only 21 people had died with incorrect details on their records. In the instances that organs were removed, family members gave their permission to carry the proceedure out.

The technical error that is thought to have caused the problems affects only those who registered preferences on a driving license application form.

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Battle between Facebook and CEOP continues

Another verbal attack was made towards online social network Facebook by Jim Gamble of CEOP today. In a briefing with reports, he accused Facebook of being 'arrogant' and questioned their interests in collective child protection.

The disagreement between Facebook and CEOP has continued for months and has developed over the placement of a panic button on the site. The CEOP panic button allows any young social network users to make a complaint about a certain user or users should they feel uncomfortable, threatened or scared as a result of negative behaviour. Such behaviour can involve bullying, insults, general threats or the unwanted attention of a potential sex offender.

Facebook insists that the website has its own reporting system in operation and that the CEOP panic button does not offer any advantage to the social networking site. As a result, they refuse to have the CEOP branded button on Facebook.

In relation to sex offences, the question must be asked whether a panic button is really the solution to online predators posing as younger men attractive to younger females. Some would argue that general lack of awareness and naivity on a childs part would make them trusting of an offender, and that they therefore wouldn't use the button to report grooming or other indecent behaviour.

Facebook and CEOP will meet during 12th April in an attempt to discuss and resolve the situation.

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70 eBay Scammers Arrested

70 people in Romania were arrested yesterday following Police investigations into Ebay scams that left approximately 800 victims worldwide without the luxury items they had bidded for.

The expensive items auctioned by the scammers (a group thought to consist of people from three seperate gangs) included cars, motorbikes, rolex watches and recreational aircraft. A total amount of €800,000 was handed over to the gang members by bidders and no items were exchanged after the transaction took place.

An investigation by the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) tracked down the men and used 101 search warrants to collect numerous laptops, computing devices and thousands of euros from several different properties.

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Coroners and Justice Act 2009

A new act comes into force today making the possession of indecent animation and cartoons illegal.

Sections 62 to 69 under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 have been introduced after complaints from high tech crime units and other child protection agencies across the UK. It has been found that many sex offenders are downloading and searching for indecent animation because it was not strictly illegal to do so. This meant that in some cases, cartoon images were returned to the owner after an investigation had been conducted.

However, the new legislation specifies that it will be an offence to possess an image of a child where the image shows the following:

- 'an image of an imaginary person'

- 'an image of an imaginary child'

- 'the impression conveyed by the image is that the person shown is a child'

- 'the predominant impression conveyed is that the person shown is a child despite the fact that some of the physical characteristics shown are not those of a child'

- 'a person under the age of 18'


Prosecution under the act can lead to three years imprisonment or a fine.

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30 Year Computer Ban too long for Sex Offender?

A federal appeals Court in Washington has ruled that a 30 year computer ban was too harsh in one sex offenders case.

Mark Wayne Russell from Columbia was imprisoned following a Police operation designed to catch sex offenders in 2006. Following release, he was forbidden to use or access a computer for thirty years - a decision which he proceeded to challenge with his lawyer.

The three-judge panel and prosecutors agreed that the decision was too harsh based on the grounds that it could not be changed over such a long period of time. Another factor in the controversial decision was the online job application process. By not having use or access to a computer, it was found that Mr. Russell would not have the best chance at securing a job.

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ANPR databases

It has been revealed that an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) database is storing driver details and images for up to two years.

The cameras feeding detailed information to the database held in Hendon, North London, have been placed in various locations across the nation and are linked to 10,000 CCTV devices. It is suspected that between 10 and 14 million details and images are being captured and stored every day, all without drivers knowledge or permission.

The civil rights group, Liberty, have threatened Police chiefs with High Court privacy action following the revelation and are looking for other drivers with similar objections. They also insist that use of ANPR has expanded dramatically in the last 18 months.

For more information, click here.

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Strategy for Cybercrime

A new strategy for fighting cyber crime has been released by the Office for Cyber Security.

The strategy outlines five primary objectives as follows:

Co-ordination to tackle cyber crime across Government - A need for improvement upon existing efforts of fighting cyber crime in general.

Provision of an effective law enforcement response - Enhancing operating and intelligence facilities for all law enforcement responding to cyber crime is also a priority. The development aims to be achieved through the use of 'accurate reporting systems'.

Raise public confidence - More work will be conducted in association with Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) and Get Safe Online.

Work with industry - It is hoped that more work with the private sector will prove beneficial.

Work internationally - A strong effort will be made to maintain and improve relationships between international law enforcement agencies. As a result, more children should be safe when online.

The strategy was published by Mr. Alan Campbell during 30th March and can be found here.

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