The UK's keenness to push through tough data retention laws during its stint in charge of the European Union (EU) has won it the "Internet Villain Award" at this year's net industry awards.

It seems ISPs just couldn't stomach heavy-handed plans for an EU-wide data retention regime. Which is why last night the UK's net industry fingered the UK presidency of the European Union for the villain gong, beating other nominees including the European Commission, Russia and Sony BMG.

"The UK presidency of the European Union received this award for seeking EU wide data retention laws which will force ISPs and telcos to retain more data for longer without proper impact assessment," a spokesman for UK internet trade group ISPA said. ®