British Government Looking To Ban "Suspected" Rioters From Facebook And Twitter

[Palindromemordnilap_v1legacy]

"Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck by how they were organised via social media,"

Have to admit, i doubt this. Send a message about an event out on a social network and the vast majority of people will either say Maybe (meaning no) or Yes and then not turn up anyway.

And much as I don't side with the rioters, especially since they've been smashing places I shop at, I really don't like the idea of Cameron being some kind of Admin over Britain's internet

 

[Woodsey]

Well, I believe they were spit-balling the idea of temporarily banning people.

Even so, I don't agree, but that is rather a key point.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Cameron understands nothing technical.

Apart from anything else, the rioters were using the RIM function, not twitter or Bookface. Where Blackberry handed over all the records to the Police - which is officially a breach of the Data Protection Act, but that's another story.

 

[TStormer]

I called it.

Get ready for CCTV in your house to make sure you aren't plotting riots.

 

[deehadley]

What's the point? It's already happened, it's the same as saying you'll stop murder by preventing people who have already killed from having a knife. As soon as he realises that most of this is his fault this country can start to work on the real causes of the riots.

 

[Moriarty]

When it happened in egypt, the new media were praised as an unique opportunity to unify and organise against the "evil" regime.

Now it's too close to their own wallets and suddenly the exact same thing is evil and has to be controlled by the government.

 

[The Forces of Chaos]

When it happened in egypt, the new media were praised as an unique opportunity to unify and organise against the "evil" regime.

Now it's too close to their own wallets and suddenly the exact same thing is evil and has to be controlled by the government.

It's because their scared of the same thing happing here. I wouldn't be supried with all this coruption its like a banna republic.

 

[SaintWaldo]

Good luck, there, Buddy!

 

[robert01]

They only way they should be allowed to prevent these people from using social networking sites, is with a jail cell. The government should not be allowed to control how people communicate. Plus blocking people from these sites is pointless anyways there are still tons of different facets these people can use to communicate that doesn't fall into the 'social network' category like email, and IRC channels. So why not waste the tax money and put it to good use like arresting people.

 

[Dogstile]

Cameron understands nothing technical.

Apart from anything else, the rioters were using the RIM function, not twitter or Bookface. Where Blackberry handed over all the records to the Police - which is officially a breach of the Data Protection Act, but that's another story.

Oh you silly, don't you know its not illegal if the government does it!

OT:

Well, brilliant, now the government is pissing me off. That puts them next to rioters. I wonder if he's regretting cutting the crap out of the police budget now eh? Idiot.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I wonder if he's regretting cutting the crap out of the police budget now eh?

Nope, he re-defended it today. And then said it was the Police's fault. Because they were too soft on the rioters. When they'd just shot someone which lead to the riot. When they were woefully undermanned.

Really, if there's one section of the public that it's NOT a good idea to piss off, it's the Police. Who have been using Twitter to keep everyone aware of what's happening.

So, shutting down access to the police and telling the police what to do, while cutting their numbers and increasing their work is a GOOD thing?

I'd really enjoy being there when his bike gets nicked the next time.

 

[Dogstile]

I wonder if he's regretting cutting the crap out of the police budget now eh?

Nope, he re-defended it today. And then said it was the Police's fault. Because they were too soft on the rioters. When they'd just shot someone which lead to the riot. When they were woefully undermanned.

Really, if there's one section of the public that it's NOT a good idea to piss off, it's the Police. Who have been using Twitter to keep everyone aware of what's happening.

So, shutting down access to the police and telling the police what to do, while cutting their numbers and increasing their work is a GOOD thing?

I'd really enjoy being there when his bike gets nicked the next time.

Ah, brilliant! This man is a genius! That'll definitely work. At this rate the police will just say "fuck this" and strike during the riot and "accidentally" let a few rioters escape near no.10... with Molotov's.

I swear this nutcase is trying to ruin the country.

 

[sleeky01]

I wonder if he's regretting cutting the crap out of the police budget now eh?

Nope, he re-defended it today. And then said it was the Police's fault. Because they were too soft on the rioters. When they'd just shot someone which lead to the riot. When they were woefully undermanned.

Really, if there's one section of the public that it's NOT a good idea to piss off, it's the Police. Who have been using Twitter to keep everyone aware of what's happening.

So, shutting down access to the police and telling the police what to do, while cutting their numbers and increasing their work is a GOOD thing?

I'd really enjoy being there when his bike gets nicked the next time.

Ah, brilliant! This man is a genius! That'll definitely work. At this rate the police will just say "fuck this" and strike during the riot and "accidentally" let a few rioters escape near no.10... with Molotov's.

I swear this nutcase is trying to ruin the country.

And then not long after that....


Now that I think about it, that thought has some appeal to it.

 

[Danpascooch]

Well fuck, that doesn't sound good at all.

You can't selectively start censoring lines of communication, then you risk becoming China. And you do NOT want to go down that path, censorship of any form is just wrong. I'm sure the Egyptian government thought it would be justified during the protests, everything is relative, the censor always thinks he's doing the right thing, and that's why it's dangerous and cannot be allowed.

 

[Gaias]

I think it is a stellar idea to keep all the stupid people using a single social media to openly discuss stupid ideas. At least this way it gives some legitimacy to Facebook to contributing something of worth for society.

 

[zidine100]

So were now persecuting those who are suspected rioter, HORAY FOR JUSTICE! Its not like they can prove any crime has taken place by these people, if they could they would arrest them.

Cameron understands nothing technical.

Apart from anything else, the rioters were using the RIM function, not twitter or Bookface. Where Blackberry handed over all the records to the Police - which is officially a breach of the Data Protection Act, but that's another story.

wouldnt that fall under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act? Which pretty much states they can do whatever they damn well please in the name of national security with our information from what i can tell.

 

[Sir Shockwave]

*facepalm*

Why did this guy get elected? At least I have to consolation prize of not voting for him at the polls.

Seriously, first he tries to block YouTube, now this? Cameron, the country's still in the throes of recession, something the rest of the world is about over...and your policy is blocking YouTube, Twitter and Facebook?

And you Yanks thought Obama was bad -_-

 

[PrinceofPersia]

When the Iranian, Egyptian, Libyan, Tunisian, Syrian, etc. governments tried to shut these things down in the face of riots and protests, it was an attack against freedom, democracy and human rights. When the UK government does it, it's "to restore order."

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive."

-C.S. Lewis

It's especially hypocritical when the U.N. has stated that access to information is an inherent human right. I can understand the need to keep order but simple solutions like the PM is proposing are not the answer to this complex situation. But I guess that is human nature to go for the quick and easy path then to actually work for a lasting solution.

And to that I award Mr. Cameron with this: