David Cameron today in Parliament:
“Mr Speaker, everyone watching these horrific actions will be stuck 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. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. 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. I have also asked the police if they need any other new powers.”
More opprobrium continues to be heaped on RIM’s BBM for acting as the communications medium of choice for the rioters and criminals. Statistics show that the BlackBerry is the most popular smartphone among disaffected urban youth, and it is BBM that is the new way of keeping in touch for whatever purpose.