EU Data Retention Directive

Citation
European Union, Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks and amending Directive 2002/58/EC, EU Journal, L. 105, at 54-63 (EU Data Retention Directive) (full-text).

Overview
The Directive was issued by the European Union and relates to telecommunications data retention. According to the Directive, Member States will have to store citizens' telecommunications data for six to 24 months stipulating a maximum time period.

Under the Directive, the police and security agencies will be able to request access to details such as IP address and time of use of every email, phone call and text message sent or received. A permission to access the information will be granted only by a court.