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For whose eyes only?

The UK Government has recently announced the adoption of an EU directive requiring all internet service providers to retain information on email traffic, visits to web sites and telephone calls made over the internet, for a period of 12 months.

The policy, which claims national security and terror prevention as its main motivation, was devised in the wake of the 2004 Madrid and 2005 London bombings. Though intended to allow law enforcement agencies access to information in an effort to prevent terrorism, the directive has been met with a chorus of objection and disapproval. Libertarians seem to think the move heavy handed, verging on sinister, the thin end of the privacy invasion wedge and the first step towards a controversial central database as part to the Home Office's Intercept Modernisation Programme. Objectors believe this database will collect far more detailed information on Britain's online activities than is reasonable.

Civil liberties watchdog Liberty, consider the proposed database as a "terrifying" idea. They say, ‘It would allow the government to record every email, text message and phone call and would turn millions of innocent Britons into permanent suspects’.

Privacy campaigners such as the Open Rights group describe the move as ‘crazy’ and potentially threatening for the privacy of Internet users. They claim that hundreds of public bodies and quangos, including local councils, will also be able to access the data to investigate other, far less serious matters.

The Home Office quite naturally has a different take, insisting that the implementation of the directive, bringing the UK in line with its European counterparts, is part of the Government's responsibility to protect public safety and national security.

The adoption of the Directive comes shortly after UK government announced plans to monitor people's conversations on social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace, also in the name of national security and the prevention of terrorism. As with the ISPs, social networking site owners will be forced to retain information relating to users' messages and web browsing habits.