ID :
201898
Wed, 08/17/2011 - 13:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201898
The shortlink copeid
London to Tighten Grip on Social Networking Website
TEHRAN (FNA)- In a move to prevent further uprisings in Britain, the British police department is seeking to stop activity of the popular social networking website, Twitter, despite London's claims about supporting freedom of expression.
The Metropolitan Police's top officer told British lawmakers that police wanted to disable Twitter at the height of the unrests and may seek the power to do so in future.
Speaking before the Home Affairs Committee, Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin said he and his senior management team at Scotland Yard discussed a shutdown "a few times" but discovered they did not have the legal power to do so.
"I contemplated seeking the authority to switch it off. The legality of that is very questionable. We did not request that it was turned off but it is something we are pursuing as part of our investigative strategy," he added.
Later he revealed that he has had discussions with the government over whether the law should be changed to allow police forces to disable social networking sites at times of crisis.
Earlier media reports said that the British police have arrested a number of internet users as part of a broader clampdown on social networking sites under security excuses.
Police are continuing to arrest members of the public accused of using social networking sites such as Facebook to instigate unrests.
Britain's Prime Minister had earlier threatened to block access to social networking websites following the outbreak of social unrests in the country, London in particular.
Cameron addressed a statement to the parliament, warning to unleash a clampdown on the web-based social outfits, including Facebook, Twitter and Research in Motion, the producer of BlackBerry devices.
He said the government would consider applying the ban against the people, who are suspected of "inciting violence online."
Cameron's threat, meanwhile, defied the White Hall's claim to being an advocate of human rights and freedom of expression.
The Metropolitan Police's top officer told British lawmakers that police wanted to disable Twitter at the height of the unrests and may seek the power to do so in future.
Speaking before the Home Affairs Committee, Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin said he and his senior management team at Scotland Yard discussed a shutdown "a few times" but discovered they did not have the legal power to do so.
"I contemplated seeking the authority to switch it off. The legality of that is very questionable. We did not request that it was turned off but it is something we are pursuing as part of our investigative strategy," he added.
Later he revealed that he has had discussions with the government over whether the law should be changed to allow police forces to disable social networking sites at times of crisis.
Earlier media reports said that the British police have arrested a number of internet users as part of a broader clampdown on social networking sites under security excuses.
Police are continuing to arrest members of the public accused of using social networking sites such as Facebook to instigate unrests.
Britain's Prime Minister had earlier threatened to block access to social networking websites following the outbreak of social unrests in the country, London in particular.
Cameron addressed a statement to the parliament, warning to unleash a clampdown on the web-based social outfits, including Facebook, Twitter and Research in Motion, the producer of BlackBerry devices.
He said the government would consider applying the ban against the people, who are suspected of "inciting violence online."
Cameron's threat, meanwhile, defied the White Hall's claim to being an advocate of human rights and freedom of expression.
