Requests for data under Data Rentention Directive doubled in four years

Over four years, EU countries almost doubled the number of requests for data under the legislation that was yesterday struck down by the European Court of Justice.

Countries say the information it collects under the directive can be vital in combating crime.

The Data Retention Directive may be revised, taking into account the criticisms of the court and the fact it did not rule against retaining data in itself but found the blanket nature of the legislation breached the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.