Norms regulating retrieval of personal information data from telephone calls and internet, on the public debate

Romania’s Communications ministry opened on Friday the new norms regulating the retrieval of personal information data from telephone calls and the internet for public debate. The document explains the obligations of the telecom operators regarding the retrieval of data.

The document contains three main chapters: the retrieval mechanism, retrieval procedure and destruction of data and the access of retrieved data. However, the document does not offer any information regarding the estimated costs needed to be incurred by telecom operators. Law 298/2008 entered into force on January 20, 2009.

According to the law, all telecom and internet operators in Romania are compelled to retrieve personal information for six months, namely telephone calls, text messages or e-mails that can be accessed by the Interior ministry, Public ministry, Romania’s Intelligence Service and Romania’s Foreign Intelligence Service.

The law does to target the content of the communications.