Communications data includes information such as which websites individuals have visited, and who they have emailed, but not the actual content of exchanges. The government wants to update existing data laws to enable police to access communications data generated by new technologies such as VoIP (voice over IP) service Skype.

, when requested to do so, to retain and store communications records that they might not already keep.

Twitter has objected strongly to this requirement in particular, as it outlines that most government entities around the world have exerted great pressure on companies to minimise the collection of user data, rather than increase it.

The social media giant also claims that these requirements are likely to lead to it holding data on users outside the UK, which could create legal problems for the company.

Twitter said in a written statement to the Joint Committee on the government's Draft Communication Bill: "We would be interested to understand what consideration was given to issues of proportionality in the drafting of this provision as well as some cross jurisdictional challenges which may arise."