THE Federal Government is considering forcing internet providers like Telstra and Optus to keep records of what their customers do online.

The records could include people's web browsing history and emails and be held for several years, according to technology website ZDNet.

At the moment a warrant is needed before an internet service provider can begin logging a user's web browsing history.

The Attorney-General's Department said it was considering adopting a data retention scheme similar to one introduced in Europe after the Madrid train bombings.

Under that directive, passed by the European Union in 2006, telephone and internet companies are forced to log details of communications for up to two years.

Only details about the date and time of each phone call, or each time a user connects to the internet, are collected. The content of each communication is not stored.

However industry sources told ZDNet the scheme being considered by the Australian Government would be more far-reaching and could include tracking each website visited by users.

Read the full report on ZDNet »