| UK police demand communication records from attack day |
British authorities are requiring phone companies and internet service providers to keep records of all communications on the day of the US terror attacks.
The National High-Tech Crime Unit has invoked the Data Protection Act to ensure text message, email and voice message logs are not routinely destroyed.
The unit's head, Detective Chief Superintendent Len Hynds, said the move is a precaution to offer maximum assistance to US investigators.
Britain's Data Protection Act normally prohibits companies from keeping data longer than is needed for billing purposes. Records are usually routinely destroyed after 48 hours.
A spokeswoman for the unit said: "This safeguarding of communications data is to ensure that any potential data is saved should it be required for evidential purposes."
But she added police "are not looking for anything in particular".
Saved information could be accessed only by law enforcement agencies, if specific legal authority were granted, the spokeswoman said.
The British move falls short of steps already taken in the US.
The FBI has served search warrants on major internet service providers, reportedly to get information about specific email accounts.
Story filed: 09:21 Friday 14th September 2001
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