Feedback period ends 18 June 2025 (midnight Brussels time).

Certain metadata processed by service providers are needed to effectively fight crime. Since no EU-wide legal framework exists requiring providers to retain metadata for a reasonable and limited period of time for criminal proceedings, data may no longer exist by the time authorities request them. The divergences between EU Member States’ laws governing the retention of data can hamper criminal proceedings and affect service providers operating across the EU. This initiative is to assess the impact of data retention rules at EU level.

Certain metadata processed by service providers are needed to effectively fight crime, according to the European Commission. Therefore, and due to a lack of a common legal framework across EU member states, the EU intends to introduce new rules requiring service providers to retain non-content metadata, e.g., IP addresses, device location, subscriber data, for a certain amount of time.

It is supposed to affect all infrastructure providers such as telecommunication services and internet service providers, messaging and social media platforms, and others.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/65027473

Interesting fact: The people behind this initiative are all censored from the public.

Certain metadata processed by service providers are needed to effectively fight crime. Since no EU-wide legal framework exists requiring providers to retain metadata for a reasonable and limited period of time for criminal proceedings, data may no longer exist by the time authorities request them. The divergences between EU Member States’ laws governing the retention of data can hamper criminal proceedings and affect service providers operating across the EU. This initiative is to assess the impact of data retention rules at EU level.