Prime Minister's attack on social media unwarranted. August 11, 2011 | Jim Killock Prime Minister David Cameron stated today that: Mr Speaker, everyone 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.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.I have also asked the police if they need any other new powers. ORG has four broad concerns with attempts to create new powers to regulate social media and private communications.
One: Suspension of services Some people have called for temporary suspension of services; David Cameron appeared to suggest suspension of Facebook and Twitter in some circumstances (TBC). Two: suspension of user accounts We agree.
In British Riots, Social Media and Face Masks Are the Focus. British PM Misses Point of Social Media, Threatens Ban. British Prime Minister David Cameron joins the long line of powerful men who totally miss the point of social media.
In the wake of the London riots, he has threatened to ban people convicted of rioting from social networks. Oh, David. Banning those convicted of crimes from accessing social networks (the idea being that they used such access to organize criminal activities) is no different than banning the same criminals from accessing goose quills and ink pots! It will have zero effect on crime, aside from criminalizing social media itself. Additionally, Cameron told Parliament he is going to hold meetings with representatives from Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry's parent company Research in Motion, "to discuss their responsibilities in this area.
" What makes it worse, however, is the way Cameron has proposed the move to the British parliament. What Cameron appears to be proposing is the creation of a thought crime. The Riots and How to Misunderstand Them Stupid Ideas Are Contagious. David Cameron considers banning suspected rioters from social media. Social networking tools such as Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger are thought to have played a role in organising riots across the UK.
Photograph: Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images David Cameron has told parliament that in the wake of this week's riots the government is looking at banning people from using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook if they are thought to be plotting criminal activity. The prime minister said the government will review whether it is possible to stop suspected rioters spreading online messages, in his opening statement during a Commons debate on Thursday on the widespread civil disorder for which MPs were recalled from their summer recess.
Answering questions after his statement, Cameron said the home secretary, Theresa May, will hold meetings with Facebook, Twitter and Research In Motion within weeks to discuss their responsibilities in this area. "And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. UK Prime Minister Proposes Banning Suspected Rioters From Social Media. 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. 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. Banning individuals from social media seems like a difficult task, and the first question to answer is whether it is possible and feasible. What do you think? Image courtesy of Flickr, Steve Punter.