Brits Back Away From ‘Big Brother’ Data Storage Plan

“The British government said Monday it wants communications
companies to keep records of every phone call, email and Web site
visit made in the country, but it has decided not to set up a
national database of the information — a proposal that had been
condemned as a “Big Brother”-style invasion of privacy by civil
liberties groups.

“The government said in October it was considering a central
database of phone and Internet traffic as part of a high-tech
strategy to fight terrorism and crime.

“However, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said Monday the plan had
been dropped.

“A document outlining the department’s proposals said the
government “recognizes the privacy implications” of a database and
“does not propose to pursue this approach.”

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