background preloader

Blocking Communications during riots ?

Facebook Twitter

In Britain, a Meeting on Limiting Social Media. David Cameron wanted internet blackout during riots. Blackberry would close UK service in unrest if ordered. Minority Report – Predicting a riot is impossible on social media. In the wake of the UK-wide riots and the growing evidence that mobile applications like the BlackBerry Messaging system had helped rioters organise and amplify their activity, the UK government is considering a review of social media.

Minority Report – Predicting a riot is impossible on social media

Specifically, Home Secretary Theresa May plans to sit down with Twitter, Facebook and RIM, to discuss the issues. That’ll be an interesting chat. She hasn’t minced her words: “Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and messaging services like Blackberry Messenger have been used to coordinate criminality, and stay one step ahead of the police… I will convene a meeting with ACPO, the police and representatives from the social media industries to work out how we can improve the technological and related legal capability of the police.” UK may disrupt social networks during unrest. By Mohammed Abbas LONDON Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:49pm IST.

UK may disrupt social networks during unrest

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.

UK Prime Minister Proposes Banning Suspected Rioters From Social Media

Soon after the riots subsided, it became clear that BlackBerry Messenger played an instrumental role in how the rioters organized themselves. Blaming the tools: Britain proposes a social-media ban. It seems totalitarian states like Egypt and Libya aren’t the only ones struggling with the impact of social media and the desire to muzzle services like Twitter and Facebook.

Blaming the tools: Britain proposes a social-media ban

In the wake of the riots in London, the British government says it’s considering shutting down access to social networks — as well as Research In Motion’s BlackBerry messenger service — and is asking the companies involved to help. Prime Minister David Cameron said not only is his government considering banning individuals from social media if they are suspected of causing disorder, but it has asked Twitter and other providers to take down posts that are contributing to “unrest.” The British PM also said he has asked the police whether they need any new powers to stop the violence, including the ability to shut down social networks or communications services if they believe these tools are being used to incite unrest.

Twitter says it won’t remove posts or users Why not crack down on telephones too? Police Chief Says Social Media Helps Officers. Riots thwarted by Blackberry and Twitter. 16 August 2011Last updated at 16:38 The London 2012 Olympic Park is in east London Police say they prevented attacks by rioters on the Olympic site and London's Oxford Street after picking up intelligence on social networks.

Riots thwarted by Blackberry and Twitter

Assistant Met Police Commissioner Lynne Owens told a committee of MPs officers learned of possible trouble via Twitter and Blackberry messenger. But Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin said he had considered asking authorities to switch off social networks. He said they provided intelligence but could also be misleading. A number of politicians, media commentators and members of the police force have suggested that Twitter and Blackberry Messenger (BBM) had a role to play in the riots.

The BBM system is popular among many young people because it is both private and secure - users are invited to join each other's contacts list using a unique PIN, although once they have done so, messages can be distributed to large groups. Switch off request Continue reading the main story. Anonymity and social censorship in the UK riots. The UK government is contemplating tactics against the UK riots that set dangerous precedents.

Anonymity and social censorship in the UK riots

In Parliament today, PM David Cameron said authorities and the industry were looking 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.” Well, at least he did post it as a question of right and wrong. It would be wrong, sir. Who is to say what communication and content should be banned from whom on what platform? On my Blackberry? Cameron also said, according to a Guardian tweet, that he would look at asking online services to take down offending photos. Beware, sir. This regulatory reflex further exposes the danger of British government thinking it can and should regulate media. There is also debate about tactics to restrict anonymity in public. But again, be aware of the precedents these actions would set. Right now, online, we are having many debates about anonymity and identity.

British Prime Minister Does a 180 on Internet Censorship. After several days of destructive riots throughout the UK, British Prime Minister David Cameron is practically tripping over himself in his eagerness to sacrifice liberty for security.

British Prime Minister Does a 180 on Internet Censorship

In a speech before an emergency session of Parliament today, Cameron highlighted concern over rioters’ use of social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter: ...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. Exactly what kind of government censorship of social media Cameron has in mind is unclear, but he went on to urge Twitter, Facebook, and Blackberry to remove messages that might incite further unrest across the country. U.K. Riots, Possible Social Network Blockage - Video. England riots: Government mulls social media controls. 11 August 2011Last updated at 14:57.

England riots: Government mulls social media controls