Politics
Controlling Communications - the Dispute over Data Retention
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For German interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, data retention is an important tool in combating right-wing terrorism. He says storage of telephone details and internet traffic is essential for fighting crime. But that position has put him in direct conflict with his fellow cabinet-member, justice minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger. She sees data retention as a violation of citizens' right to privacy. The longstanding dispute has divided the governing coalition.