British Prime Minister David Cameron stated on Thursday that he is considering a limit on social media use in an attempt to curtail the riots and wave of violence that have spread throughout England.
David Cameron told Parliament that it is clear the rioters used social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to mobilize themselves and caused the disorder to spread nationwide. Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger, if these social media sites were being used to plot ‘violence, disorder and criminality, then The state can take action against them.
PM Cameron : Social media should take responsibility, before it incites harm
Prime minister Cameron told british parliament on Thursday that Facebook, Twitter and Research in Motion (Rim), the maker of BlackBerry devices, should take more responsibility for content posted on their networks, warning the government would look to ban people from major social networks if they were suspected of inciting violence online.
“Everyone following these horrific actions will be stuck by how they were organized through social media,” David Cameron said. “Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for harmful purposes.
England Riots : Sparked by Facebook and Twitter ?
Facebook has responded to David Cameron’s calls for a clampdown on social networking sites by saying it has already actively removed several “credible threats of violence” related to the riots across England.
The home secretary, Theresa May, is to hold meetings with the three companies within weeks. The UK government is expected to meet with executives from Facebook, Twitter and Research in Motion (the company behind BlackBerry Messenger, a key organizing device in the spread of the riots) over the next several weeks, Cameron said.
The british police have promised to track down those suspected of inciting the violence on Twitter, but much of the planning for the disturbances took place in the relatively private world of the BlackBerry Messenger service.
A Facebook spokeswoman said: “We look forward to meeting with the home secretary to explain the measures we have been taking to ensure that Facebook is a safe and positive platform for people in the UK at this challenging time.
British Opposition backing up Cameron
Cameron’s move to curb social media was backed by the opposition. Ivan Lewis, the shadow culture secretary, told: “Free speech is key to our democracy but so are public safety and security. We support the government’s decision to undertake a review of whether measures are necessary to prevent the abuse of social media by those who organize and participate in criminal activities, such as rioting, looting and killing.”
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