US goverment would go after the EU by implementing a policy that force Internet service providers to retain records of their customers activities. The idea of snooping the internet surfers activity gained traction in the U.S. Congress, last week when Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (R), gave a speech saying that data retention by Internet service providers is an “issue that must be addressed.”

CNet’s web site News.com reported Gonzales warned child pornography investigations have been “hampered” because data might be routinely deleted. Democratic party members propose similiar actions and preparing to introduce an amendment that would make such data deletion illegal. Congressmen from both parties said any Internet service that “enables users to access content” must permanently retain records that would permit police to identify users.

The records could not be discarded until at least one year after the customer’s account was closed. It’s not clear at this time whether that requirement would be limited to e-mail providers and ISP’s only or it would make web hosting companies to keep data about e-mail correspondence sent and received from their servers.

An expansive reading of Colorado Republican Diana DeGette’s proposal would require every website owner to retain those records. Any details related to new bill’s enforcement would be left to the Federal Communications Commission.