EU body backs data storage rule

European Union lawmakers have agreed to store details of all EU-wide phone calls and Internet use, but the steps do not go as far as some member states had wanted in the battle against terrorism and other serious crime.
The European Parliament's civil liberties committee voted by 33 to eight in favour of the new rules, whereby details on telephone calls and Internet use - but not their content - would be kept for six to 12 months.
Telecoms firms typically store data for three months for billing purposes. Some EU states want it kept for 24 months.
The full Parliament votes on the rules in December, and member states must approve them before they become law.
Alexander Alvaro, the German liberal legislator in charge of the bill in parliament, said after the vote that a more balanced text had emerged, compared with what the European Commission proposed and with what some member states wanted.
"Everything that makes this directive proportionate and balanced is now in, especially concerning the limitation of data types, limitation on storage period, safeguards on access and sanctions," Alvaro told Reuters after the vote.
Britain, which currently holds the EU presidency, said it was committed to getting agreement on the rules by year-end.
The March 2004 train bombings in Madrid and July 7 attacks in London have prompted authorities to step up EU-wide efforts against terrorism and serious crime.
Separately, the European Commission proposed that national police have limited access to a database due by the end of next year to store data on those who apply for a visa to EU countries in the Schengen area - a free movement zone made up of all EU countries but Britain, Ireland and the 10 new member states.
Such a measure would require the approval of EU countries.
In Thursday's vote, the committee also voted that member states should reimburse telecoms firms for the additional costs of complying with the new rules.
The lawmakers also voted in favour of inserting a new provision in the bill to ensure "effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties" for infringements of the rules.