Data Retention is here

The Data Retention Directive has now completed its transposition into UK law and is in force - as of 6th April.

After passage through both Houses of Parliament the Regulations became law as Statutory Instrument 859 - made, it appears, on 2nd April and implemented on 6th April. Interesting then that the actual regulations were not published until 7th April, the day after implementation.

The Regulations can now be read here - along with the explanatory memorandum and impact assessment here.

OK, so the regulations are now in force. It is now up to the Secretary of State to provide ISPs with notification so that they know what they have to retain. If they do not receive any notification then they don’t have to retain. The regulations provide for the setting up of an implementation group - that is not likely to happen too soon so it may well be some time before the notices go out and retention actually starts.

Ah well - on we go, a bit of a mish mash again.