Here’s how we protect your identity when you make a report to Crime Stoppers WA
Our platforms are designed to support anonymous reporting and minimise the collection, retention and exposure of identifiable information wherever reasonably possible. Anonymous reporting means the identity of the reporter is not known to Crime Stoppers WA or the receiving agency, unless that person decides to leave their details.
- You can choose to report without giving your name or personal details.
- We do not record or access your IP address, computer details or location when you make an online report.
- Online reports are sent using privacy-protecting technology (Tor) which changes your IP address.
- Phone reports don’t show caller ID and are not recorded.
- In your report, you decide what information you share, so don’t include any identifying details if you want to stay anonymous.
- Uploaded files are processed to remove metadata where possible.
- All information is handled in line with Crime Stoppers WA’s privacy and security standards.
Legal Decision
While each case must be taken on its own merits, the case below is a good example of the strong view that the courts take regarding the anonymity of information disclosed to Crime Stoppers.
- WA Supreme Court Case Stated THE STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA -v CHRISTIE [2005] WASC 214
In the above case, the Hon. Justice J McKECHNIE ruled:
“Nothing is advanced that would satisfy me as to the legitimate forensic purpose in disclosing this material. Even if there was some legitimate forensic purpose, I consider that the strong public interest in the confidentiality of all information provided by callers to the Crime Stoppers program would require the public interest immunity to extend over that material”. Para 39
