[stevewignet]

It was so obvious that the riots were co-ordinated using mobile technology.

You would have thought that the government and powers that be could have forced mobile providers to turn off the mobile network or text messaging facilities.

I think the excuse by people saying if you do that you will stop emergency calls, but people could still use home phones, voip or other means. People these days rely on technology too much.

In the case of the riots it could have been stopped much quicker if mobile / text facilities were blocked, and even the internet and/or twitter/facebook disabled for the duration so no one could use them.

Am sure there is emergency powers in place that could disable the internet, various websites or mobile communication if necessary.

am sure most people could survive under the circumstances without texts, twitter or facebook for a while.

[plymouthbloke1974]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevewignet

Am sure there is emergency powers in place that could disable the internet, various websites or mobile communication if necessary.

There is.

[stud u like]

The ones arrested in my town used social networking.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-14465585

I don't believe in blocking texts and Facebook as I use those daily to communicate with friends in the USA,Australia,Denmark,Sweden.

[cavemanjames]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevewignet

It was so obvious that the riots were co-ordinated using mobile technology.

You would have thought that the government and powers that be could have forced mobile providers to turn off the mobile network or text messaging facilities.

I think the excuse by people saying if you do that you will stop emergency calls, but people could still use home phones, voip or other means. People these days rely on technology too much.

In the case of the riots it could have been stopped much quicker if mobile / text facilities were blocked, and even the internet and/or twitter/facebook disabled for the duration so no one could use them.

Am sure there is emergency powers in place that could disable the internet, various websites or mobile communication if necessary.

The government were against this when Egypt did it. I doubt their views have changed just because of the riots.

[pi r squared]

As disruptive as they were, the riots are caused by a significant minority. 30m Facebook users in the UK and, what, much less than 0.1% of those involved in riots. There's no reason why 99.9% of lawabiding users should have their Facebook accounts disabled because of a few idiots with no respect for the law. Similarly, cut mobile phone reception and you cut off the ability of 10m people living in cities with rioting to get in touch with loved ones and let them know they're alright.

It's a mental suggestion. The key to sorting this is an appropriate and just deterrent/consequence.

[stevewignet]

internet is only a paid luxary, not a expected given thing.. am sure people could easilt survive a few hours without facebook or twitter same goes for text messages.
yes there is arguments that mobile phones are needed in emergencies but mobile operators could quite eaily turn off the text messaging service facility.

if they had done that then there would not have been as much disruption or trouble.

[nanscombe]

If mobile networks will be switched, better have a contingency for co-ordination.

There are other methods of communication besides mobile phones.