Govt says: Keep the data
The government has proposed a new law, which would require phone and internet companies to log all their data.
The Communications Data Bill will extend the requirement for companies to retain information, such as customer’s internet usage, email usage and Voice over Internet Protocol calls.
A Home Office spokeswoman said it would allow "public authorities to undertake their lawful activities to investigate, detect and prosecute crime and to protect the public".
The law will require service providers to keep data, which shows a log of communications, although they are not required to retain the content of each message.
In proposing the bill, the government said communications data plays a key role in counter-terrorism investigations and noted a move in communications towards internet protocol core networks.
It warned: "Unless the legislation is updated to reflect these changes, the ability of public authorities to carry out their crime prevention and public safety duties and to counter these threats will be undermined."
