Only a few months ago, Indian intelligence agencies wanted telcos to retain user data for 6 months. Now they’re asking for 12:
Intelligence agencies want the telecom department to issue new rules making it mandatory for all mobile phone companies and internet service providers to retain their customers’ online data for a minimum period of 12 months, raising privacy concerns.
Currently, all telephone records including call and text message details are stored by mobile phone companies for six months.
These include the email addresses from where the online communication is sent, the receiving ID, the subject of the mail, attachment name and type, the other recipients who are marked on the same mail and similar details of the replies to the online communication.
It has also requested that login and logout details, including the amount of time spent online be recorded under the new guidelines. Intelligence agencies have specified similar norms for all other forms of online communications including searches, chats, social networking, file sharing, peer-to-peer amongst others.
Read more on Times of India.