Surrey and Sussex Police Slapped for Secret Call-Recording App Blunder
Surrey and Sussex Police have been slammed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for bungling the use of a call-recording app that secretly recorded phone calls without consent. The app, Another Call Recorder (ACR), was meant only for a handful of hostage negotiators back in 2017. But thanks to a lack of clear rules, it ended up on the phones of over a thousand officers and staff – recording every call without anyone knowing.
Mass Download Sparks Data Privacy Storm
The slip-up was uncovered in March 2020, prompting urgent action. Police quickly yanked access to the app, secured any evidence, and reported the breach to watchdogs including the ICO and Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO). An internal probe revealed the app was installed on 432 devices and downloaded by 1,024 personnel.
Criminal Cases and Deleted Recordings
Crucially, four users held recordings linked to ongoing criminal investigations. Three calls were connected to active cases, with the officers told to alert the Crown Prosecution Service. However, only one appeared likely to affect a trial. All affected staff were told to wipe these secret calls without listening. The app and all saved files were deleted, and phones reset to erase any trace.
New Rules to Stop This Happening Again
The ICO report has made several recommendations, mostly already in place. These include strict legal checks before apps are approved, updated data protection training for all staff, and a full review of policies. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Macpherson admitted it was a “regrettable error” caused by poor oversight. She said a robust approval process is now firmly established. Both forces cooperated fully with regulators, and investigators found no evidence that anyone’s data was harmed.
