Police say they prevented attacks by rioters on the Olympic site and London’s Oxford Street after picking up intelligence on social networks.Assistant Met Police Commissioner Lynne Owens told a committee of MPs officers learned of possible trouble via Twitter and Blackberry messenger.But Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin said he had considered asking authorities to switch off social networks.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14542588Also see:Social media talks about rioting ‘constructive’
The government and police have not sought any new powers to shut social networks, the Home Office said after a meeting with industry representatives.Instead they held “constructive” talks aimed at preventing violence being plotted online through existing co-operation, the Home Office said.The meeting with representatives from Twitter, Facebook and Blackberry was held in the wake of English city riots.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14657456