Critics say rules are waste of money and attack on civil liberties

From today, all details of people's internet activity and phone calls must be stored by their Internet Service Provider (ISP) for 12 months.

A new European Union directive means the police and security services can then use the information to combat terrorism.

Privacy campaigners say they're worried that hundreds of local councils will also be able to access the data.

The government insists it's to protect public safety and national security.

In a statement, the Home Office said: "It is the government's priority to protect public safety and national security.

"That is why we are completing the implementation of this directive, which will bring the UK in line with our European counterparts.

"Access to communications data is governed by Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 which ensures that effective safeguards are in place and that the data can only be accessed when it is necessary and proportionate to do so."

Shami Chakrabarti from the human rights group, Liberty, says she's worried the changes will lead to the government holding more information about people.

"I think the real concern is, both with the ridiculous levels of access to our sensitive information but also the government's increasing appetite for intruding on our privacy.

She says she fears that rather than individual internet companies keeping customers information, the government will demand even more control of the data.

"It actually wants a central, government database."

BBC