What the changes mean to you
MANY of us have several devices to communicate with others. Here, we explain how the new system will affect them:
LANDLINE
No change. Police, the security services and other public bodies can already access data on who you are calling and when, but not the details of what was said. This information is stored by phone companies, but a ministerial warrant is required to access it.
MOBILE PHONE
Officials can already find out who you have called or texted and when, and even pinpoint your location. The law does not currently cover modern ways of communicating, such as Blackberrys. In future, those platforms would be tracked too.
LAPTOP/IPAD
Some basic data is currently stored, such as when a person started browsing the web. In future, every website visit would be kept for a fixed period by your internet service provider. This would only detail the address of the website, and not the exact content.
No change. Officials can already see who you email, and when. If there is a suspicion of wrongdoing, police and security services can access your correspondence under a warrant.
SKYPE
Terrorists have turned to Skype, as existing laws do not cover internet telephone calls. Security officials say this loophole must be closed. If their demands are met, they would be able to check who you call and when.
As with web browsing, social networking data is not routinely stored. New rules would give the authorities the right to know who you have been talking to on Facebook, and when.
GAMES CONSOLE
Security services suspect online gaming – which allows players to chat using headsets or text messages – could be used to plot terrorist activity. In future, data would be stored on who gamers play with or talk to.