Home Office investigates faulty phone data used in criminal evidence

There are fears of wrongful convictions stemming from the use of the data after phone company O2 informed police that it was concerned about the accuracy of information being given to forces.

It is understood the problem dates to mid-2022 and has still not been fixed.

O2, which is the second largest telecommunications provider in the UK, said it was working on the issue as a “top priority”.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has issued letters warning forces about the unreliable data.

The bug concerns the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number each phone has and could mean that information given to juries about calls made or received by defendants could be incorrect.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are aware of an issue involving a telecommunications operator which has affected the provision of communications data. We are working with the relevant organisations and it would be inappropriate to comment further on this matter while an investigation is ongoing.”

An O2 spokesman said: “We are investigating an issue relating to the accuracy of some data provided to certain operational partners. We take this matter very seriously and we have notified the relevant bodies, taken steps to help mitigate against a recurrence in the short-term and our teams are currently working to determine the facts and fully resolve any issues as a top priority.”

A spokesman for the NPCC said: “We have been made aware of an error involving some data supplied by a telecommunications company. We are working with a range of partners to establish the exact implications of this fault and to ensure appropriate steps are taken to mitigate and resolve the issue.

“A more detailed update will be provided in due course.”