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Secret Irish Data Repository Uncovered

Posted by timothy on from the pot-of-data dept.

topgold writes "During an initial public meeting yesterday, the Irish Justice Ministry revealed that for nearly a year, the Irish government has mandated all telecommunications operators store traffic information from every landline, fax and mobile phone call for at least three years. Irish Times journalist Karlin Lillington offers insights regarding this secret data retention regime in several national newspaper columns. A considerable citizen reaction is at the boiling point, stoked by a civil liberties discussion board and the rejuvenation of the Electronic Freedom Ireland citizen group. By law, the Irish government can deep-six any Cabinet discussions related to the 'deliberative process' and since this decision to retain phone records happened at Cabinet level, it could have remained hidden for more than five years."

12 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. Oooooh! by mikeophile · · Score: 1, Funny

    You found me lucky charms!

    1. Re:Oooooh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      How would you feel if *every* American story posted on slashdot received highly rated "Ah gone done aks mah sister f'r marry cuz she real purty" comments?

      I'd feel insulted. We're all SUV-driving, wealthy, overweight, gluttons with a God complex and enough nukes to destroy the world. We're not hillbillies.

  2. it would contain... by grep_a_life · · Score: 5, Funny

    if internet use is any indicator on how the telecom systems are used, the list would be:

    50% about sex
    30% spam (or telemarketing)
    29% adolescent mush
    1% calls to a data recovery shrink

    hmm... may be not that accurate... anybody care to modify? (ooh, I'm beginning to see several "in soviet russia posts)

    --

    I drink, therefore, I am.
    -- W. C. Fields
    1. Re:it would contain... by grep_a_life · · Score: 2, Funny

      dang, there goes my math... overstated the dang percents... ack... next time, I'm not posting with a hangover... unless it's about Irish beer...

      --

      I drink, therefore, I am.
      -- W. C. Fields
  3. In Other News... by jesse.k · · Score: 3, Funny

    Google announced that they had purchased the database, refused to say why.

  4. I just knew it! by YeeHaW_Jelte · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Irish are out to get us!

    --

    ---
    "The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
  5. Why war with the US is necessary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Because it's a country full of whackos with too many nukes and not enough brains. Let's bomb those fat dumb hamburger eating neanderthals back into the stone age where they belong and make sure they stay there.

    1. Re:Why war with the US is necessary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Now, come on. We have no quarrel with the American people themselves, we just want regime change.

  6. Re: We wanted a large = 1TB file server... by paulhar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Half the /\. readers wouldn't be able to squeeze their pr0n and mp3/ogg collections onto such a small box.

  7. Re:Ooh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's good to live in the good ol' USA where shit like this doesn't... err... oh it does? Nevermind.

  8. No, they record the entire conversation, but.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...its Ireland, so 99% of the calls are:

    "So, are ya goin to da pub?"
    "I'll see ya there around 10"
    "cheers"

  9. during an initial public meeting by tetrode · · Score: 2, Funny

    And why did I read that as "during an initial pub meeting"?

    Mark