The government is considering a database which would store everybody's e-mails, Internet information, phone-calls and text messages and they say it is to help security forces in the fight against crime and terrorism.


At the moment, records of phone-calls and text messages are kept up to 12 months by telecoms companies, but this could be extended.

The Home Office proposal would see Internet service providers handing over records containing billions of e-mails as well as Internet usage and voice-over-Internet calls.Police and security services would be able to have access to the information after seeking permission from the courts, well so the say.

To ensure that our public authorities and law enforcement agencies can continue to use this tool, the government is planning to bring forward the Communications Data Bill. The draft bill is expected to be released later in the year, but the plan has yet to be discussed by ministers.

It is likely to raise concerns about civil liberties and data protection, especially after recent scandals including the loss of child benefits information.

The government is already planning huge databases for the ID cards schemes and NHS patients records.