War on terror targets ISPs in Europe.

• Position: UP FRONT - Internet service providers

Several European countries are working to pass controversial legislation that would require telephone companies and Internet service providers (ISPs) to retain substantial amounts of customer data, despite the European Parliament's rejection of the proposed bill. The legislation is part of an ongoing effort to enact laws that help combat terrorism in Europe.

France, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom jointly introduced the legislation's draft proposal outlining the major provisions of the bill, including requiring phone companies and ISPs to retain customer data on the times, dates, and locations of all phone calls and e-mails for 12 to 36 months. The data would be subject to search and analysis by European law enforcement agencies.

The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs issued a report rejecting the legislative draft, questioning the bill's legality, and noting the difficulties associated with analyzing such large amounts of data in criminal investigations. The report also stated that people involved in "organized crime...