[quote=spdrun]FlyerInHI – What’s the need for a consortium? A single database introduces a single possible point of failure. Why not just have the individual carriers store the data (for a limited time, not to exceed several years!!!!!!!!!), subject to release upon court order? Civilian courts, of course, none of this FISA Star Chamber nonsense.

Secondly, some level of crime (and yes, even terrorism) is the price we pay for a relatively free society. I’d rather have law enforcement’s hands tied and civil liberties respected than “solve lots of crime.”[/quote]

Why not laws preventing the storage of any of our personal communications or metadata not needed for billing purposes?