David Cameron tells the Commons that the role of social media in the recent London is to be examined.
Users of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), could see their access to services blocked if they are ââ¬Åplotting violence, disorder and criminalityââ¬Â, the Prime Minister has told Parliament.
David Cameron said that ââ¬Åeveryone watching these horrific actions will be stuck by how they were organised via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill.ââ¬Â
He said that he has asked the police if they need new powers, and that Government is ââ¬Åworking 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.
David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, had called for BBM to be suspended so that rioters, many of whom were using the free service, would be prevented from planning further attacks. The police have also made a number of arrests after people made statements on Facebook that were allegedly inciting illegal behaviour.
A Number 10 source said that the Government would examine the technical and moral questions of blocking usersââ¬â¢ access to a service, as well as looking at whether police powers had kept pace with modern technology.
Earlier in the week, a top twitter topic in London was ââ¬Å#blockbbmââ¬Â, but after the Prime Ministerââ¬â¢s statement Labour MP Tom Watson called the suggestion ââ¬Åludditeââ¬Â. Users of Twitter claimed the positive aspects of the service, such as to organise clean-up campaigns after the riots, demonstrated that the technology itself was neutral.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...e-could-get-new-powers-over-social-media.html
Are you for or against this idea and why?
Users of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), could see their access to services blocked if they are ââ¬Åplotting violence, disorder and criminalityââ¬Â, the Prime Minister has told Parliament.
David Cameron said that ââ¬Åeveryone watching these horrific actions will be stuck by how they were organised via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill.ââ¬Â
He said that he has asked the police if they need new powers, and that Government is ââ¬Åworking 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.
David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, had called for BBM to be suspended so that rioters, many of whom were using the free service, would be prevented from planning further attacks. The police have also made a number of arrests after people made statements on Facebook that were allegedly inciting illegal behaviour.
A Number 10 source said that the Government would examine the technical and moral questions of blocking usersââ¬â¢ access to a service, as well as looking at whether police powers had kept pace with modern technology.
Earlier in the week, a top twitter topic in London was ââ¬Å#blockbbmââ¬Â, but after the Prime Ministerââ¬â¢s statement Labour MP Tom Watson called the suggestion ââ¬Åludditeââ¬Â. Users of Twitter claimed the positive aspects of the service, such as to organise clean-up campaigns after the riots, demonstrated that the technology itself was neutral.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...e-could-get-new-powers-over-social-media.html
Are you for or against this idea and why?
