Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week proposed a law
that will mean communications companies will have to keep logs of
internet usage and make this information available to the
police.
This follows similar laws concerning telephone data. If passed
by parliament the bill will complete the UK adoption of the EU
Directive 2006/24/EC on the retention of communications data.
The
Communications Data Bill has been proposed in the government's
draft legislation programme for 2008/09. It was one of 18 proposed
Bills which could become law if they pass through Parliament.
The proposed bill aims to use communications data such as
information on the internet and e-mails to fight crime and protect
national security, according to the government.
The government said communications data plays a key role in
counter-terrorism investigations, the prevention and detection of
crime and protecting the public.
In October the government
forced
telcos to keep records of phone calls which will be extended to
records of internet, e-mail usage and voice over IP records if the
legislation is passed.
"The Bill would bring the legislative framework on access to
communications data up to date with changes taking place in the
telecommunications industry and the move to using Internet Protocol
core networks," it said in a statement. "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."
A spokesman said there could be amendments to the proposed
bill.