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police clampdown on information useful to terrorists

r | 02.02.2010 20:46 | Technology | Terror War

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A police unit has been created to force the take-down of web pages which break the UK's terrorism laws. The Government has set up a web page through which the public can tell the police about pages that they think are illegal.

The Terrorism Act of 2006 gave police the power to demand that websites or material on websites be removed from the internet if they shared information that would be useful to terrorists or glorified acts of terrorism.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said that it had created a new unit to act on reports from the public and to look for material that might break the Terrorism Act. The team is part of its Prevent Delivery Unit which deals with counter-terrorism.

he Terrorism Act allows police to request that any material they think is illegal is removed or changed within two working days.

If someone refuses that request that is not an offence in itself but it does mean that they will be unable to plead a defence of 'non-endorsement' if they are charged with encouraging terrorist acts or distributing terrorist publications, the Home Office said.

Any information that is intended to be useful to terrorists is illegal, including: bomb-making instructions; guides to making poisons; instructions on how to make weapons; and guides to targets,"


Reporting hate, extremism and terrorism online
 http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Counterterrorism/DG_183993

 https://reporting.direct.gov.uk/

r

Comments

Hide the following 7 comments

Information that would be useful to terrorists

02.02.2010 21:39

"The Terrorism Act of 2006 gave police the power to demand that websites or material on websites be removed from the internet if they shared information that would be useful to terrorists or glorified acts of terrorism."

I doubt it. Google contains much information that would be useful to terrorists.

While they will leave the big organisations alone, they may pick on some small organisations.

Me


What about websites hosted overseas?

03.02.2010 11:34

How are they going to shut down websites hosted overseas? Is this the start of an internet firewall around the UK like they have in China?

In some countries it is legal to host bomb-making plans or glorify terrorism (e.g. USA).

Hell, you can even buy the Anarchist's Cookbook on Amazon (no, it's not for cake recipes).

anon


Waht they mean is shut down FB pages of climate camp, animal rights etc

03.02.2010 15:14

THAT's what they intend....

Hmph


@Hmph

04.02.2010 12:32

Facebook is a US company and is hosted outside of the UK, as far as I know, so I don't see how UK police can shut down accounts on it.

anon


technical discussion thread about this on Slashdot

04.02.2010 13:25

There's a discussion thread on this story at the technical/geek website Slashdot:

 http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/02/04/0144233/UK-Government-Crowd-Sourcing-Censorship

anon


Re Facebook

04.02.2010 13:47

Do ACPO not link in with the FBI? The FBI do speak to UK ACPO / NETCU / NDET etc with regards to Eco / Animal activism.

HPMH


Help the police !

05.02.2010 14:36

We really need to "help the police" by reporting "sites which my be of use to terrorists". eg. any websites which have any useful content what so ever.

Particularly train times. Well if you want to bomb a train, you've got to know what time it leaves. And any site which might help you find the station.

And of course directions to government offices, we wouldn't like them to get bombed, would we!

And, if you see an one taking photo in a public place , god forbid, report it immediately by calling 999 free of charge form any phone.

It has come to our attention that some sites even contain information that could help "terrorists" learn about chemistry, physics and electronics. And there is clearly no reason that anyone should want this kind of information, unless they intend to build a bomb.

We can combat these 'terrorists' if we all do our bit, for the 'WAR ON TERROR'

Public safety/liberty is every ones responsibility.

concerned citizen