Cameron threatens to shut down UK social networks | thinq_

Cameron threatens to shut down UK social networks

National lootery

Written by Stewart Meagher on 11 August, 2011 News > Politics   

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In a move worthy of China's communist regime, UK PM David Cameron wants to shut down social networks whenever civil unrest rears its head in Britain's towns and cities.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Cameron said, "Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck 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. 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."

Although the Old Etonian didn't give any clue as to how he intends to block use of the likes of Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry messenger - which have all been implicated in the mob's ability to stay 17 steps ahead of the cops as they turn up hours after the nation's shops and businesses have been picked clean by gangs of feral teenagers - but the only way we can see it working is if the entire cellular network is turned off in affected areas.

That might stop the hooligans rampaging about without hindrance but it might also stop people calling to let the authorities know that... oh we don't know... 'my shop/house/80-year-old mother-in-law is on fire!'

We get the distinct feeling he might not have thought this one through.

Home Secretary Teresa May is apparently holding meetings with Facebook, RIM and Twitter's UK outposts to discuss installing a kill switch at Number 10 but tech-savvy teens will soon switch to another service once they discover the three major social network players are working for the man.

Keith Vaz says he will hold an enquiry into the unrest when MPs have had their holidays which is really useful as the majority of the rioters will be back at school nicking the weedy kids' lunch money by then.

Tags: david cameron, uk prime minister, riots, social networks

via thinq.co.uk