Storage of traffic data for law enforcement purposes
Prepared by the ICC commission on :
Publication date : 18/11/2002 | Document Number : 373-22/106
In the past 12 months many countries have been issuing new obligations for telecommunications and internet service providers, referred to in this document as communication service providers (CSPs), to store users’ traffic data for possible use by law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
A harmonized international approach which balances government, business and user interests is needed to ensure that storage of and access to traffic data for LEA purposes is adequate, effective and fair. Business is committed to cooperating with law enforcement to effectively combat crime in a manner consistent with business realities in a competitive, dynamic market and according to legal requirements.However, business is concerned that differing national policies on traffic data will create disadvantages for CSPs operating in countries with more far-reaching requirements and an impossible compliance burden for CSPs with operations in many different countries.
ICC’s concerns regarding government requirements for the storage of traffic data are four-fold:
- Breadth of laws that could potentially be passed.
- Cost to business.
- Technical capabilities of CSPs.
- Damage to public confidence in electronic communications.
For further information, please contact
Ayesha HASSAN
Senior Policy Manager, Digital Economy
Tel:
+33 (0)1 49 53 30 13
ayesha.hassan@iccwbo.org