Executives from Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. are meeting the British government and police to discuss how to prevent social networks being used to plot violence.
The government has expressed concern about the way social media and BlackBerry's instant messaging were used during this month's riots across England. Civil libertarians reacted with alarm to suggestions the services could be shut down in times of crisis.
Police and politicians claim young criminals used Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry's simple and largely cost-free messaging service to coordinate looting sprees during riots in England this month, and Prime Minister David Cameron has said police and intelligence services are looking at whether there should be limits on the use of social media sites or services like BlackBerry Messenger in times of disorder. A senior police officer revealed last week that the force had considered seeking approval to switch off such services like Twitter during the mayhem, but decided against it.
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The acting chief of London's police force told lawmakers that the legality of such action was “very questionable,” and networks were an intelligence asset. A Home Office spokeswoman said there was “no suggestion” the sites would be closed down. But she said the meeting would discuss “whether and how we should be able to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.”