Data retention/ IPRED2

edised

Concerning this:
http://p2pnet.net/story/7088

I wrote to my local MEP(member of european parliament), to see what was her position on that matter...

here's her reply (she was quite quick replying, I've sent the email on saturday, which is fairly reasonable for an MP!!!):

Thank you for your email on data retention which is currently being
discussed in both the European Parliament and European Council.We are
currently in the early stages of an accelerated procedure. Our focus is to
protect civil liberties whilst at the same time recognising that police
and security services must have access to traffic data (not the content of
the calls, emails etc) in order to track down those who are engaged in
serious and organised crime and terrorism.

We must do all we can to bring to an end the crimes that blight our
continent such as the trafficking in human beings, enslavement of women
and children into prostitution and terrorist activities, which have no
respect for human life or civil liberties.

It will be a difficult balance to achieve but our approach of protecting
how the data is stored, accessed and used will be a vital part of that
package. The next step is to try to agree on a text which is acceptable to
the Council, which represents the Member States governments of the EU and
the European Parliament, the democratically elected institution of the
Union, which represents the citizens. I am confident that as
incumbent President of the Council, the UK will work hard towards
achieving this essential balance and adopting this important piece of
legislation.

I hope you find this information useful.

Mary Honeyball MEP

mmmmmmmm...no real surprise