clipped from: www.itpro.co.uk By David Neal,
New rules set to come into force in March will require all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to keep information about every e-mail sent or received in the UK for a year.
As the day grows closer so the opposition becomes more vocal.
The Home Office says that the data - which will not include the content of the emails - will be essential as it tackles high profile crimes like terrorism. But other groups and experts are concerned that it represents the thin end of the privacy wedge. Add to this the government's previous track record in handling personal data, which puts its role as guardian under greater scrutiny.
In December, the UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioners Office, raised its concerns in a statement. "It is likely that such a scheme would be a step too far for the British way of life," it said.