The government has allegedly dropped plans for a massive central database from its new Communications Data Bill (related news), which is expected to be introduced into Parliament during early October. However senior civil servants could still secretly proceed with the project, reports The Register.

The database would have used newly proposed Data Retention rules, which require UK ISPs to log a year’s worth of basic customer web and email access activity, to provide a central store of personal information. This database would have been accessible by the Police, the Post Office, local council and health authorities:


Naturally the idea of a central database controlled by the government is enough to send any sane person into a panic; their track record of misusing and losing personal information more or less speaks for itself.