EU directive promises "limited invasion of privacy".

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: UP FRONT: News, Trends & Analysis

According to a draft version of its directive on data retention, the European Union will require service providers to retain all communications records for at least six months.

The latest version of the directive, made public by the European Digital Rights organization, aims to standardize the amount, type, and length of time communications services providers will have to store details about their customers' phone calls, e-mails, faxes, short message service, instant messaging, and other electronic communications, including location data of mobile phone calls.

The directive, if passed, will force telecom companies to store information on "traditional fixed and mobile electronic communication services" for one year and IP-based communications for six months.

Information for calls made between two online, or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), users will be retained for six months. However, for calls that originate over the Internet but connect to a normal landline or mobile, data will be held for a year.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The data held by communications companies will not include the content of the calls or e-mails themselves, but it will ensure that law enforcement agencies can identify the sender and recipient and, for mobile calls, the location of the caller.

According to the EU, there will be a "limited invasion of privacy" and "a limited impact on the competitiveness of the electronic communications industry," as telecom companies across Europe will have to capture and retain large amounts of data on their customers. The EU, however, has said Internet service providers should be compensated for any additional expense they incur as a result of the Directive.

The European Commission (EC) said the measures are now "urgent" and necessary for the "prevention...