Proposed changes to data retention laws will have major cost and privacy implications for UK ISPs.

The Data Communications Bill announced last week will require ISPs to store and make available to law enforcers every form of electronic communication made over their networks.

“I am concerned over costs, as well as the infringement of privacy,” said Adrian Kennard, director of ISP Andrews and Arnold.

“It depends what ‘communications data’ needs to be retained and in what circumstances.”

ISPs should not be surprised, said Gareth Niblett, head of data security at ISP K-Com Group.

“There is either an ignorance on the part of ISPs that this is coming around the corner, or there is a head-in-the-sand mentality,” he said.

“K-Com already stores 110 million records per day.”