KPN group, Vodafone stop data retention

KPN and Vodafone are the first major Dutch providers to stop retaining customers' internet and telephone date, NU reports. This follows the ruling by the court yesterday that nullified the telecommunications data retention law which required the storage of communication data for a year. KPN spokesman Stefan Simons said yesterday afternoon that the provider and its subsidiaries will stop executing the retention law. He also stated that measures will be taken to ensure that the provider complies with "the new situation". In practice this means that all data that is not needed for normal operation will ultimately be deleted. Vodafone also stated that the provider will still store data that is needed to provide a working service. Vodafone is in favor of a "law that creates clarity about our obligations and that is transparent about the government's use of power and the control on it." The data retention law required telecom providers to store "meta data" that could later be used by investigative services. The court in The Hague ruled that this happened unlawfully because no court authorization is needed to get the data and it can be used in investigations into less serious crimes. The Ministry of Security and Justice regrets that the court decided to nullify the data retention law and is considering appealing against the ruling. "The Ministry is deeply concerned about the impact this will have on tackling crime", the Ministry said in a statement.