Germany Passes New Data Retention Laws

Germany's Parliament passed new data retention laws last week that require Web and phone providers to retain their logs for up to six months, despite the opposition of privacy advocates.

According to the law, the information within those logs could be used by law enforcement if they have reason to suspect criminal activity. Supporters claim it is also an anti-terrorism measure -- aimed at preventing another attack like those in London or Madrid.

Data to be stored for the half-year period includes the date, time, and length of phone calls, which includes location and phone data on mobile calls; the IP address, date, time, length of connection and line that was used in internet connections; and the email address and header for electronic communications.

Privacy advocates are decrying the new laws, saying that while the law as it stands doesn't include the content itself, the information could be used to locate more identifiable data.

The bill even brought Germans to the streets early last week in protest of the bill. Last month, a demonstration was staged in the country's capital of Berlin which included thousands of participants.