EU set for data grab U-turn

EU governments are to make a U-turn on anti-terror measures forcing mobile phone operator and internet service providers to store communications data.

Europe’s justice ministers meet in Luxembourg and anti-terrorist measures top the political agenda.

Ministers are expected to support a British EU presidency proposal to drop measures on data retention pushed by France, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

The move is sharp reversal on London's previous political position and follows strong opposition from EU institutions in Brussels.

New compromise measures tabled by the European Commission – and preferred by lawyers  – will bring measures within EU data protection law.

EU internal market data protection law will give the European Parliament poiwers to block or amend proposals.

The British EU presidency is to ask MEPs to agree measures quickly at a first reading – the issue is an urgent priority for the UK after July’s bomb attacks on London.

Other caveats include derogations for national governments retaining data, including mobile phone numbers, call data, location and email addresses, for longer periods under domestic national security measures.

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