UK might ban social media to combat the specter of ISIS
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s administration is considering legislation that would ban the use of encrypted apps like Facebook Messenger, Snapchat and iMessage unless the services included government-accessible backdoors. It’s called the Investigatory Powers Bill (and more accurately nicknamed the “Snooper’s Charter”). The bill, which was first put forward in 2012 before being tabled in the face of overwhelming criticism, would also reportedly require ISPs to keep records online browsing, social media activity, email and voice messages and SMS texts for one year.
“In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which even in extremes, with a signed warrant from the Home Secretary personally, that we cannot read?” Cameron stated in January. “My answer to that question is no we must not. If I am prime minister, I will make sure it is a comprehensive piece of legislation that makes sure we do not allow terrorists safe spaces to communicate with each other.” And in doing so the British government will further erode the freedoms of all citizens — all in the name of “security” — just as both Canada and Australia have.
[Image Credit: AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet
Source: Huffington Post
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