Protection watchdog attacks ‘excessive’ data retention plans

DATA Protection Commissioner (DPC) Joe Meade yesterday said it would be strongly opposed to any “excessive” plans by the Government to retain data on people’s private use of phones, email and the internet.

Far-reaching measures agreed by EU leaders in Brussels last week specified the retention of personal telecommunication data as a key weapon in the fight against terror.

Data retention legislation being drafted here will take into account the contents of last week's EU Declaration on Combating Terrorism.