In light of last weekend’s riots in London, UK Prime Minister David Cameron is considering banning individuals from social media if they are suspected of plotting criminal activity.
Soon after the riots subsided, it became clear that BlackBerry Messenger played an instrumental role in how the rioters organized themselves. UK authorities also believe that Twitter and Facebook played a role as well. In a statement to parliament on Thursday morning, Cameron said:
“Mr. Speaker, everyone watching these horrific actions will be stuck by how they were organized via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good, but it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.”
Looking to prevent future catastrophes that could be stirred by social media, the government will reach out directly to the social media services believed to help catalyze the riots to discuss options for moving forward.
Cameron told the press after his statement that Home Secretary Theresa May will hold meetings with Facebook, Twitter and Research In Motion within weeks to discuss their responsibilities in the prevention of future incidents, The Guardian reported.
Banning individuals from social media seems like a difficult task, and the first question to answer is whether it is possible and feasible. Beyond that, is it legal to ban suspects who haven’t committed a crime?
What do you think? Should the UK government be allowed to ban individuals from social media if they are thought to be planning criminal activities? Let us know in the comments.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Steve Punter
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Posted on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:42:54 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/5yTzYbHcFxU/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/11/uk-riots-social-media/#comments
Soon after the riots subsided, it became clear that BlackBerry Messenger played an instrumental role in how the rioters organized themselves. UK authorities also believe that Twitter and Facebook played a role as well. In a statement to parliament on Thursday morning, Cameron said:
“Mr. Speaker, everyone watching these horrific actions will be stuck by how they were organized via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good, but it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.”
Looking to prevent future catastrophes that could be stirred by social media, the government will reach out directly to the social media services believed to help catalyze the riots to discuss options for moving forward.
Cameron told the press after his statement that Home Secretary Theresa May will hold meetings with Facebook, Twitter and Research In Motion within weeks to discuss their responsibilities in the prevention of future incidents, The Guardian reported.
Banning individuals from social media seems like a difficult task, and the first question to answer is whether it is possible and feasible. Beyond that, is it legal to ban suspects who haven’t committed a crime?
What do you think? Should the UK government be allowed to ban individuals from social media if they are thought to be planning criminal activities? Let us know in the comments.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Steve Punter
More About: facebook, london riots, parliament, RIM, social media, twitter, ukFor more Social Media coverage:Follow Mashable Social Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Social Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:42:54 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/5yTzYbHcFxU/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/11/uk-riots-social-media/#comments