A report submitted to the Home Office by the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) says that, as a matter of urgency, “legislation should require every CSP [communication service provider] to retain all communications data originating or terminating in the UK, or routed through the UK networks, including any such data that is stored offshore.” The report was apparently leaked to Sunday’s Observer newspaper.
The stated purposes of the data include intelligence and evidence gathering and protecting society. The report acknowledged “grave reservations” expressed by the data protection commissioner, Elizabeth France, following discussions on the proposal with the NCIS.
The Home Office is considering the report but stressed to reporters that no decision has been taken.
There was much controversy this year when the bill leading to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act was being debated in Parliament. Privacy groups said the powers of investigation that it gave to the security and intelligence services amounted to a “Big Brother” society, yet its powers stop far short of what is said to be proposed in the new document submitted to the Home Office.