Turnbull clarifies data retention laws

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Malcolm Turnbull says web browsing history won't be captured under proposed data retention laws.

Malcolm Turnbull has tried to ease regional tensions over possible changes to media ownership laws.

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Malcolm Turnbull has come out to quell confusion about the government's proposed data retention laws.

THERE'S been some concern over the breadth of the surveillance measures and confusion over what is set to be captured, with Attorney-General George Brandis struggling to explain the policy during an interview on Wednesday.

Mr Turnbull says the government is not asking telcos to keep a record of internet browsing histories under the measures, aimed at cracking down on home-grown terrorists.

He said it would only change the time frame of surveillance, and security services would not require the recording of a users' web surfing history.

"That is not the case," Mr Turnbull told ABC radio on Friday.

Only IP addresses - the number assigned to individual computers - and "traditional" telephone records already kept by some telcos for more than two years, such as the caller, the call party, the time and duration of call, will be sought.

Mr Turnbull would not be drawn on the confusion over the past week and reports he was incensed by his exclusion from cabinet discussions on the policy.

The most important thing was that the laws would protect against terrorist attacks, he said.

"I will leave you to talk about the last couple of days," he said.

"My concern is simply to be crystal clear about what we're talking about."

Mr Turnbull and Senator Brandis met Telstra representatives on Thursday to discuss the policy.