Phone hacking: Police probe suspected deletion of emails by NI executive

News International’s claims of cooperating with police over phone hacking scandal brought into question. Photograph: Graeme Robertson

Police are investigating evidence that a News International executive may have deleted millions of emails from an internal archive in an apparent attempt to obstruct Scotland Yard’s inquiry into the phone-hacking scandal.

Are we turning a blind eye to the data retention issue?

As some 20 internet companies, including Google, eBay and Facebook, file a complaint with the highest judicial body in France against a decree obliging them to keep users’ personal data for a year, why hasn’t there been a similar hue and cry in Ireland, where such data has to be retained for up to two years?

French Association of Internet Community Services (ASIC) is bringing the case before the State Council of France.