Data Retention Directive

The Data Retention Directive was a European Union law that required telecommunications companies to store users' communications data, such as phone calls and internet usage, for a specific period to aid law enforcement in investigating crimes. It aimed to balance the need for security with individual privacy rights. However, it faced criticism for potential privacy violations, leading to legal challenges and eventual annulment by the EU Court of Justice in 2014, which ruled it overly intrusive. This highlighted the ongoing tension between protecting citizens and safeguarding their personal information in the digital age.