article_snippet: The bill to retain so-called metadata for a minimum two years has been drafted as a counterterrorism measure but The bill to retain so-called metadata for a minimum two years does not specify what metadata is and experts differ on definition.
article_snippet: The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention)
article_snippet: In describing metadata, The government uses the analogy of traditional mail.
article_snippet: The metadata is the information written on the envelope, not what's written on the letter inside.
article_snippet: With telephones, metadata includes the number called, the duration, time and date of the call, plus the location of the cellphone.
article_snippet: The government has said metadata includes the number called, the duration, time and date of the call, plus the location of the cellphone.
article_snippet: Several countries have laws on metadata retention.
article_snippet: U.S. laws allow government access to metadata with or without a warrant.
article_snippet: Australian police say Australian police already access metadata, but are concerned that many companies don't store it for as long as many companies used to.
article_snippet: This estimate will inform the Australian Government in delivering on the Australian Government commitment to make a reasonable contribution to the capital costs of implementation of the data retention regime.
article_snippet: Australia needs a data retention scheme because telecommunications companies are retaining less data and keeping Australia for a shorter time.
highlights_snippet: The government wants to record Australians' metadata for two years .
  