Data retention directive approved

Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecoms companies will have to keep their customers phone and internet records for up to two years after the European Parliament approved new legislation.

The draft Data Retention directive, which is expected to be enforced next year, is part of a new EU package of anti-terrorism measures. ISPs and telecoms companies including mobile phone operators will now have to keep records of data such as incoming and outgoing phone number and the duration of phone calls.

This includes details of connected, but unanswered calls, {JB} IP addresses, how long a person has spent online, their name and address and email activity. However ISPs don’t keep the actual content of any emails.

These details must now be kept for a minimum of six months up to a maximum of 24 months. The idea is to make it available to the police and judiciary so they can investigate terrorism and serious crime.

The UK Government has strongly supported the directive. Welcoming the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke has welcomed the directive, and said the information that is kept could be a crucial tool in police investigations into terrorism and organised crime.

However the directive is not universally popular. Civil liberties organisations have privacy concerns and they fear access to the data could be abused by law enforcement agencies.

The telecommunications industry has questioned the feasibility and costs of maintaining and storing so much data which could cost them millions of pounds. Ultimately this cost could be passed on to the consumer.

Some EU countries are also unhappy and the Irish are expected to challenge the directive in the European courts.