Spy agency: Retaining call records 'critical'

Australia's domestic spy agency said it was "pleased" with the recently passed data retention laws that will result in customer call and Internet records being kept for two years, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation described the legislation as "critical" to the security of the nation, in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The laws passed last Thursday will force telecommunications companies, from 2017, to retain customer metadata for at least two years so it can be accessed by more than 20 government agencies if needed.