BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
DISTRICT – Following in the footsteps of several police forces across Ontario, the Temiskaming Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is suspending its usage of the organization Crime Stoppers.
The suspension is the result of a cybersecurity incident involving a third party.
Police forces across the province say Crime Stoppers will not be referenced, promoted, or included in any communications. This includes but is not limited to any mention of Crime Stoppers, its website, telephone number, or other contact information in media releases, social media posts, posters, videos, media interviews or any other communications materials.
A collective of hackers known as Internet Yiff Machine hacked into Ohio-based Navigate360’s P3 tip management platform in March. All Crime Stoppers chapters, including those in Canada and the U.S., relied on P3 to keep their data anonymous. The hackers reportedly exposed tens of thousands of personal details – including street addresses, phone numbers, emails, licence plates and banking information – related to about 1.5 million tips submitted to Canadian Crime Stoppers programs over the last 25 years.
DATA BREACH
The potential for a data breach has caused the police to suspend the use of this program that uses tips from the public to gather information about crimes.
Crime Stoppers has supported police investigations by relying on information provided by tipsters anonymously.
Tips received through Crime Stoppers can play an important role in assisting police initiate investigations, advance existing investigations or address community safety concerns.
NON-EMERGENCY LINES
Police say public safety remains a top priority for them and they will continue to monitor the situation closely.
They are urging people with tips on crimes to telephone non-emergency lines to provide that type of information.
During the pause, people in OPP jurisdictions can call 1-888-310-1122 or visit opp.ca/reporting to see whether they can report their incident online. People should call 911 if they need immediate police, fire, or medical assistance.
Members of the public who wish to provide information to the Temiskaming OPP can call the OPP non-emergency line or the detachment office at 705-647-8400.
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