Directive 2006/24/EC of the EU Parliament and the Council on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks

Summary

The Directive aims to harmonize the rules for retaining certain data generated by electronic communication service providers across EU Member States. It mandates the retention of traffic and location data for a specified period to assist in the investigation, detection, and prosecution of serious crimes. The Directive does not apply to the content of communications but only to data necessary to trace, identify, and locate the source and destination of communications. It respects fundamental rights, particularly privacy, under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Access to retained data is regulated by national laws, ensuring necessity, proportionality, and protection of fundamental rights.