U.K. Policing and Security Minister David Hanson told Parliament last week millions are being spent to fund Internet service providers', telcos' and mobile operators' retention of communications data under the European Data Retention Directive and Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA) code of practice on data retention.
Data retained under the legislation includes the details of the duration, destination and location of electronic communications, although not details of their content.
The data retention legislation has proved unpopular with civil liberties groups that view it as an infringement of privacy.
According to Hanson, the cost of "sponsor[ing] systems to enable communications service providers to store communications data" over the last five years has topped £24 million (US$38.6 million).
For 2008-2009, the U.K. Home Office spent £3.6 million (US$5.8 million) funding retention under the ATCSA, and £6.6 million (US$10.6 million) under the European Data Retention Directive (EUDRD).
The figure represents a significant year-on-year fall for ATCSA retention, with the 2007-2008 costs hitting £5.7 million (US$9.2 million). In contrast, the amount spent on retention as a result of the EUDRD increased substantially from the 2007-2008 figure of £2.6 million (US$4.2 million).
Jo Best of Silicon.com reported from London.
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