internet providers asked to keep records by Att Gen

..here we go:

U.S. asks Internet firms to save data



RETAINING USER RECORDS

What's kept now: An amendment to the 1986 Stored Communications Act permits the federal government to request that companies with Internet services retain records and other evidence lists of e-mail traffic and Web searches for 90 days.

What could change: The Justice Department wants records kept for up to two years to assist in terrorism and child-pornography investigations.

By Jon Swartz and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY
Top law enforcement officials have asked leading Internet companies to keep histories of the activities of Web users for up to two years to assist in criminal investigations of child pornography and terrorism, the Justice Department said Wednesday.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller outlined their request to executives from Google, Microsoft, AOL, Comcast, Verizon and others Friday in a private meeting at the Justice Department. The department has scheduled more discussions as early as Friday. Last week's meeting was first reported by CNET, an online news service.

The meetings reflect a new approach by law enforcement in anti-terrorism efforts. Previously, the Justice Department had invoked the need for data retention only to battle child pornography. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, Internet traffic has become increasingly critical to terrorism investigations, too.