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INDUSTRY NEWS


29 December 2008

Web search companies re-thinking data retention following high-profile data losses


Internet search companies are attempting to find ways to improve their data retention following several high-profile data loss incidents in the UK this year.

According to Ian Brown, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, these incidents have put pressure on companies to prevent them from getting embroiled in similar cases.

Mr Brown said that there is also added pressure on firms from the European Union's Data Protection Authority to hold on to less data.

He suggested that one of the best approaches that an internet search company could take would be to not keep hold of any data.

Mr Brown commented: "One of the most secure ways you can protect people's information is to not collect any at all, or keeping data for shorter periods of time as it means companies are less likely to lose it and hackers are less likely to get hold of it."

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