This overview paper briefly explains the current situation with regard to retention of communications traffic data by certain UK organisations and examines impending moves to impose mandatory retention based on European Union (EU) Directive 2006/24/EC. The possible implications of those moves for current and future FE and HE provision of telecommunications and network services are addressed also. The paper can be accessed in pdf format here - Data Retention Directive: Implications for FE and HE - JISC Legal Overview