THE federal government wants your personal internet data, and they don't want to have to apply to a court to get it.

Revelations that the federal government wants Australia's 400-odd internet service providers (ISPs) to log and retain customers' web browsing data, so law enforcement can access it during criminal cases, have sparked alarm in the industry.

Currently law enforcement needs court-approved search warrants before they can record someone's personal data via their ISP. The proposed regulation would mean companies would be forced to store certain information for several years just in case it was later needed.

''Once you store that information you increase the risk of abuse,'' a source who works for an ISP said.

''We can put our hands on our hearts and say we're good guys and we don't do anything wrong, but can we say that of every other player in the market?'' the source said. ''Compliance would be a big question.''