A teenager accused of a robbery in New York had charges dropped after he argued that he was on Facebook and it was confirmed that a post was made from his account.
However, anyone could have made the post.
asking firms to retain information on how people use social networks such as Facebook.
More communication via computers rather than phones
Companies won't always keep all data all the time
Anonymity online masks criminal identities
More online services provided from abroad
Data held in many locations and difficult to find
recognition of the role of data in protecting the public
Communications data is crucial to the fight against crime and in keeping people safe. It is a highly technical area and one which demands a fine balance between privacy and maintaining the capabilities of the police and security services
The Home Office says it wants to change the law to compel communication service providers (CSPs) to collect and retain records of communications from a wider range of internet sources, from social networks through to chatrooms and unorthodox methods, suc
ecret security services have legal powers in the UK to intercept communications in the interests of combating crime or threats to national security.