New Data Laws are Looming

On the 14th May Gordon Brown's draft Queen's Speech outlined his proposals for the Communications Data Bill, which includes plans to implement the EU Directive on the retention of communications data into UK law (2006/24/EC). It will also modify the procedures for acquiring communications data and allow this data to be retained.The details so far are pretty sketchy and with consultation currently taking place The House of Lords is questioning 'how the government intends to make it law for UK ISPs to track and store their customers online activity for up to two years (data retention)' ISP ReviewThere are a number of potential problems for ISPs which include legal, technical and cost issues.The legislation aims to support the prevention and detection of crime and protect national security by allowing law enforcement agencies to make use of the enormous amounts of communications data passing over the 'net but how useful is this data? The phrase 'needle in a haystack' springs to mind.