Citizens’ records: move to halt criticism

THE Government will today seek to head off criticism of its plans to keep records of citizens’ phone calls and internet traffic by launching a public consultation process.

The move to keep these records on file for up to three years has sparked fierce criticism from civil liberties groups, who say it is an unnecessary invasion into people’s privacy.

But the Department of Justice, which is spearheading the move, says it’s a vital tool in the fight against crime.