Prepay phones to lose anonymity

New legislation will require prepay phone owners in the UK to confirm their name and address when they buy a handset, according to a report in the Sunday Times. The Communications Data Bill, which will enable the government to track electronic communications in the UK, is expected to be announced next year. [Source: TimesOnline.co.uk]

Update: The Home Office and Vodafone have both denied the story, according to ZDNet.co.uk, which suggests it may have been a government 'leak' to gauge public reaction.

Phone call database planned

The Times says the UK government is planning a database that holds details of every phone call, email and internet browsing session as part of its fight against crime. Information would be held for at least 12 months. The plans have apparently been considered as part of a data communications bill that would be included in the Queen's Speech in November. The EU already requires telecoms companies to keep records of phone calls and text messages for 12 months.