Data retention is being done now by programs and services which cache data to ease loading on servers and networks. No approval needed from anybody, indeed, the service is being offered as a cost saver and expeditor of net services to ISPs and anybody else who might be eager to get around restrictions on data retention, not because of privacy and civil liberties concerns but because the increase in loading and competition is driving the technology. What will prevent an ISP from sharing its cached data retention, -- performed to remain competitive in the market -- with officials who just might ask for a favor through the legal department, knowing nobody will know what's going on, and what the hell, that nobody cares so long as the cost of services is kept low? Why not give up privacy for a cheap deal? A skeptic might wonder why all the folderole about the EuroParl and DoJ proposals and implementatios when the really good stuff is already accessible, no complicated procedures required to sample the stored produce. No evidence that anybody has taken a look, grabbed some data of the usual suspects. A sample of above-board date retention products via caching offerer, which brags all its products retain data in the interest of always marketable cost savings: http://www.soliddata.com/solutions/telecom_appbrief.html The URL sent by anonymous.