Home U.K. Police Will Use Twitter to React to Protestors

U.K. Police Will Use Twitter to React to Protestors

While some countries aim to stop revolution by cutting off access to services like Twitter and Facebook, others try to turn social media use on its ear and use these services to monitor its population. Late last month, the Egypt erupted in revolution and the government quickly shut off all social media, before shutting down the Internet entirely. China has taken a similar stance, banning sites like Twitter and Facebook for long periods of time, as an attempt to prevent protests, among other things.

The U.K., on the other hand, has taken this opposite route. According to a story in The Associated Press today, police in the U.K. will use social media sites to keep track of protestors and respond accordingly.

A report from a report by Britain’s police inspection body called for authorities to stem the large number of protests through monitoring of social media sites:

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of the Constabulary said police forces would have to focus on speed and communication as demonstrators turn to Internet sites such as Twitter to coordinate their actions.

“Large numbers of protesters can be organized in hours and change their focus in minutes through the use of social media and mobile phones,” the report said. “Those responsible for commanding events must plan with this adaptability in mind.”

The report singled out UK Uncut, a protest group organized quickly by Twitter users upset at the government’s plans to slash public spending and perceived tax avoidance by major British companies. The group has used social-networking sites to help coordinate their actions; the tools include a live mapping service intended to help protesters dodge police cordons.

While some police departments have shown that they don’t know how to use Twitter, the Greater Manchester police force – one of the largest in the U.K. – led a Twitter experiment last fall wherein it tweeted every single call it received over 24 hours. As the experiment ran into rate limit issues (the number of Tweets one account can make in a certain period of time, to summarize it simply), it began creating secondary and tertiary accounts. It then strung everything together using hashtags.

All that is to say, it looks like the U.K. police force may have the know-how. It also has the right idea if looking to prevent and quickly react to protestors’ moves is the name of the game. Despite Egypt’s best efforts to censor its populace, many found ways to communicate nonetheless. Is it better for a government that wants control to push communication from out in the open into secret, unmonitored channels?

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest iGaming headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Gambling News

    Explore the latest in online gambling with our curated updates. We cut through the noise to deliver concise, relevant insights, keeping you informed about the ever-changing world of iGaming and its most important trends.

    In-Depth Strategy Guides

    Elevate your game with tailored strategies for sports betting, table games, slots, and poker. Learn how to maximize bonuses, refine your tactics, and boost your chances to beat the house.

    Unbiased Expert Reviews

    Honest and transparent reviews of sportsbooks, casinos and poker rooms crafted through industry expertise and in-depth analysis. Delve into intricacies, get the best bonus deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guides.