Posted: 01st Aug, 2005 By: MarkJ
The European Commission has confirmed that it's preparing an alternative draft data retention plan for proposal during September. Pressure for a re-ignition of the laws has followed last months London bombings:
Lobby group European Digital Rights (EDRi), says that according to a draft it has seen, companies will be required to retain telephone data for one year, and internet data for just six months. Both periods are significantly lower than the three years suggested in the proposal, known as a draft Framework Decision, put forward by the UK, with backing from Ireland, Sweden and France.
The European Commission's rival proposal would need the backing of the European Parliament, and the Council of ministers if it is to become law, while the draft Framework Decision only needs the approval of Council of Ministers. However, it has been declared illegal, and MEPs have threatened to take Ministers to the European Courts of Justice, if they continue to push the draft through.
European Commission spokesman Friso Roscam Abbing said that the Commission's proposal would balance the need for data protection with the provision of adequate powers for law enforcement agencies to trace and track communications.The Register notes that, even with the new proposals, conflicts between existing human/civil rights and data protection laws remain a concern.