Britain
Considers Social Media Shutdowns: U.S. Next?
Social media has drawn heavy scrutiny in the U.K from
the government, and if the riots continue, Prime
Minister David Cameron may push for the drastic step
of blocking certain internet communication platforms
such as Twitter, Facebook, and Blackberry instant
messenger. Wired is reporting that P.M. Cameron has
been considering the “pre-crime” blocking of
social media websites to avert more riots, and allow
authorities to catch up with arrests of suspects shown
rioting on surveillance camera footage or inciting
violence through social media. Prime Minister Cameron
addressed the British House of Commons Thursday,
saying: “Free flow of information can be used for
good. But it can also be used for ill. 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.”