Met Police to extract suspects' mobile phone data

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18102793

The Metropolitan Police has implemented a system to extract mobile phone data from suspects held in custody.

The kiosks have been fitted in 16 London boroughs for a 12-month trial.

The data includes call history, texts and contacts, and the BBC has learned that it will be retained regardless of whether any charges are brought.

The technology is being used in 16 London boroughs, and could potentially be used by police across the UK.

Campaign group Privacy International described the move as a "possible breach of human rights law".

Until now, officers had to send mobiles off for forensic examination in order to gather and store data, a process which took several weeks.

Under the new system, content will be extracted using purpose built terminals in police stations.

It will allow officers to connect a suspect's mobile and produce a print out of data from the device, as well as saving digital records of the content.