The European Union wants to give police new powers to obtain information from internet companies including Facebook and Google as part of new measures to fight terrorism.

The European Commission has proposed multiple ways to make it easier for police to retrieve data stored in the cloud directly from technology companies after complaints of slow investigations.

Social media companies are increasingly under pressure to assist law enforcement in the wake of terror attacks. Facebook faced intense criticism following the Westminster attack, for example, for refusing to give law enforcement access to the final WhatsApp messages Khalid Masood sent.

The most radical option the Commission has proposed would allow security services across Europe to have direct access to data from internet companies, even if this would jeopardise the safety of the information.

Other, less intrusive proposals would allow international police to go directly to technology firms with a request rather than having to go to local law enforcement first, or for companies to hand over data when requested even if it is in another country.

"I am sure that now in the shadow of the recent terrorist attacks and increasing threats in Europe there will be more understanding among the ministers, even among those who come from countries where there has not been a terrorist attack," Vera Jourova, EU justice commissioner, told Reuters.