The government has climbed down on plans to ban suspected rioters from using social networking websites in times of civil unrest.
The home secretary, Theresa May, told social networks at a meeting on Thursday that the government had no intention of "restricting internet services".
Research in Motion (RIM, the maker of BlackBerry), Facebook and Twitter were summoned to the meeting with May after David Cameron signalled a clampdown on the sites following the recent riots in England.
The social networks were poised to face down the government on its plans, which they warned could usher in a new form of online censorship in the UK.
However, government ministers sought to back away from the prime minister's comments and instead focus on how law enforcement could better use Twitter and Facebook in emergencies.
A Home Office spokeswoman described the meeting as constructive. May chaired the meeting with the Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne, and members of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The Home Office said in a statement: "The discussions looked at how law enforcement and the networks can build on the existing relationships and co-operation to prevent the networks being used for criminal behaviour. The government did not seek any additional powers to close down social media networks."
The possibility of banning suspected rioters from social networks was first raised by Cameron a fortnight ago when he vowed to do whatever it took to prevent a repeat of the riots and looting.
Hours before the meeting human rights groups sent an open letter to government ministers warning that powers restricting the internet could be "susceptible to abuse" and undermine free speech.
May is understood to have opened the meeting by immediately ruling out restrictive measures and indicating that it was a discussion about improving law enforcement online.
According to sources at the meeting, police acknowledged that they "needed to do more" with regard to learning how to use social media. The Metropolitan police are understood to have said they were "slightly behind" other forces when it came to Twitter and Facebook.
Surprisingly, RIM was not forced to explain how its BlackBerry Messenger service differed from other social networks, despite the system reportedly having played a pivotal role for the rioters.
A spokeswoman for Facebook said the discussion was constructive, building on work her firm already did to ensure Facebook was "one of the safest places on the internet". She said: "We welcome the fact this was a dialogue on working together to keep people safe rather than about imposing restrictions on internet services."
A Twitter spokeswoman said: "Governments and law enforcement agencies around the world use Twitter to engage in open, public, communications … we've heard from many that Twitter is an effective way to distribute updates and dispel rumours in times of crisis or emergency."
In a statement RIM said: "RIM continues to maintain an open, positive, dialogue with the UK authorities and continues to operate [within] UK regulations."
The Home Office meeting followed a study of riot-related tweets, compiled by the Guardian, that cast doubt on the rationale behind Cameron's proposal to bar suspect rioters from Twitter and Facebook.
Josh Halliday @'The Guardian'
Friday, 26 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Suelette Dreyfus talks Wikileaks
Suelette Dreyfus is an Australian-American researcher, journalist and writer. She wrote the cult classic book Underground with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Watch the full episode here: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3294021.htm
Panellists: Nick Minchin, Former Liberal Minister; Hanifa Deen, Pakistani-Australian author; Daniel Pipes, American political commentator; Doug Cameron, Labor Senator; and Suelette Dreyfus, academic and author of Underground.
Panellists: Nick Minchin, Former Liberal Minister; Hanifa Deen, Pakistani-Australian author; Daniel Pipes, American political commentator; Doug Cameron, Labor Senator; and Suelette Dreyfus, academic and author of Underground.
Israeli Video Games in Gaza
He looks at the camera with bright eyes and the beginning of a smile, wearing a miniature dark blue zipper sweatshirt, the cuffs folded up a bit to make it fit.
I can imagine his mother dressing him that morning, making sure he would be warm enough. I wonder if she’s the one who took the picture. Someone has written on the photo “kisses.”
It’s not a formal picture. He’s outside on a sunny day. It looks like he was probably moving when the picture was snapped; his arms seem to be swinging a little. As with most almost two-year-olds, I suspect it was hard to get him to stay still long enough for a photo.
It’s a happy picture, the kind that makes you smile; perhaps it reminds you of funny, energetic little children you know or remember.
Until you see the next picture. It was taken on his second birthday. His name was Islam Quraiqe’.
Death from a drone strike is not pretty. The small body is charred, ripped apart; internal organs are pouring out.
He had been riding with his father and uncle on a motorcycle in Gaza whenthe missile hit them. His 29-year-old father, a member of the Palestinian resistance, and 32-year-old uncle physician were also killed. Five bystanders, including a woman, were injured.
The missile was fired remotely by an Israeli sitting in front of a video screen and operating one of the many drones that periodically fly over Gaza and shoot Palestinians like fish in a fishbowl. The operators are usually female, the preferred group for this kind of desk job...
I can imagine his mother dressing him that morning, making sure he would be warm enough. I wonder if she’s the one who took the picture. Someone has written on the photo “kisses.”
It’s not a formal picture. He’s outside on a sunny day. It looks like he was probably moving when the picture was snapped; his arms seem to be swinging a little. As with most almost two-year-olds, I suspect it was hard to get him to stay still long enough for a photo.
It’s a happy picture, the kind that makes you smile; perhaps it reminds you of funny, energetic little children you know or remember.
Until you see the next picture. It was taken on his second birthday. His name was Islam Quraiqe’.
Death from a drone strike is not pretty. The small body is charred, ripped apart; internal organs are pouring out.
He had been riding with his father and uncle on a motorcycle in Gaza whenthe missile hit them. His 29-year-old father, a member of the Palestinian resistance, and 32-year-old uncle physician were also killed. Five bystanders, including a woman, were injured.
The missile was fired remotely by an Israeli sitting in front of a video screen and operating one of the many drones that periodically fly over Gaza and shoot Palestinians like fish in a fishbowl. The operators are usually female, the preferred group for this kind of desk job...
Continue reading
Alison Weir @'Counterpunch'
Funkystepz - Trouble EP
Out on Hyperdub on the 03/10/2011 the preview of the Funkystepz - Trouble EP. 3 Tracks are called Trouble, Dirty Dutch & John Wayne.
Chris Carter - Moonlight (NDB Remix)
Neurotic Drum Band remix of Chris Carter's 1985 track 'Moonlight', taken from the forthcoming release on Optimo Music. Other tracks include a remastered original version and a brooding Oneohtrix Point Never remix.
Please note that the tracks aren't remixes but rather reinterpretations as there were no parts to work with and they had to start from scratch.
PRESS RELEASE: Letter from Steve Jobs
August 24, 2011–To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
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