UK rules out government database of emails, phones

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has ruled out a controversial proposal to set up a government database to store Internet and telephone traffic, saying it prefers to have such information held by private companies.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says the data is needed to combat terrorism and other crimes. Critics have called the idea excessive and an infringement of civil liberties.

Home Office research has estimated the proposal would cost up to 2 billion pounds to implement.