As the saga of London rioting and social media blocking continues, the British government is calling in the spooks. They’re now summoning MI5 and GCHQ to help not block but track the messages that might be the root of the trouble. Christ.
As if Prime Minister David Cameron’s plan to block social networking wasn’t enough, British military intelligence and the Government Communications Headquarters will work in concert to try to track down riotous dissidents broadcasting calls to violence. That includes cracking BBM messages that would otherwise be secure behind the BBM network. Right, as that worked so well before.
While both groups are acting within the confines of the law, it seems they barely toe the line if they haven’t already crossed it. It is their duty to root out those who would do harm to people and property, yes. And RIM is obligated by law to submit information about their customers, if not their actual messages, if the government calls for it. But breaking into a secure network without a clear target sounds closely akin to phone tapping, doesn’t it? Especially when it could affect those innocent of any wrongdoing. [The Guardian]
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