British Prime Minister suggests giving greater powers to police in social networks

 by Waldirene Biernath

U.K. prime minister David Cameron has suggested the idea of stifling the "free flow of information" on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook as a way to stymie and prevent the rioting that spread throughout the British isle over the last several days.

internet images

"Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill," Cameron said in a statement to the British Parliament. "And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them."

internet images

The idea is to block the suspects
rather than to suspend the service.

The prime minister said the government is working with the police, intelligence services and industry to examine the possibility of preventing people from communicating via these websites and services "when we know they are plotting violence, disorder, and criminality." 

  

The police even arrested several people who commented on his thefts or acts on Facebook, accused of inciting illegal behavior.

Users of social networks argue, however, that social networks can also be used for good things, such as organizing collective efforts to combat looters.

Give your opinion

Do you agree that social networks need to be stifled for authorities and government to avoid crimes and riots?

Source: news agencies

Watch the David Cameron’ statement video: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14490251

Vocabulary:

to stifle (verb) /ˈstaɪf(ə)l/: to stop something from developing normally; prevent or constrain (an activity or idea);

to stymie (verb) /ˈstaɪmi/: to stop someone from achieving a goal, or to stop some process from continuing;

plotting (noun): a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);

theft (noun): the crime of stealing. Someone who commits this crime is called a thief;

looter (noun): someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war). It is derived from the verb to loot: to steal things from houses or stores during a war or after a disaster such as a fire or flood.