European data laws to face scrutiny

ZDNet - The European Commission is to review a number of data laws and regulations to gauge whether they are necessary and proportionate. The series of reviews are part of an action plan that runs from 2010 to 2014. The plan, announced on Tuesday, was drawn up following the endorsement by European leaders of 170 initiatives known as the Stockholm Programme. The focus of the programme is EU work on justice and home affairs over the next five years. The data retention directive, which compels ISPs to hold communications data for a minimum of six months, will be scrutinised, according to Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship spokesman Matthew Newman, who spoke to ZDNet UK on Wednesday.