Of Tech, Riots, and Privacy
Social networking devices seem to play a significant role in facilitating an easy way for strangers to come together for the purpose of organizing a protest. As so many protests around the world have been transformed into more aggressive outbreaks of violence and rioting, several questions and concerns now revolve around these modern social networking vehicles.
Mob Robs During Riots
There's a hot new trend in civil unrest, called Mob Robs, when a mob of people swarm into a store and take everything in sight. The store workers become completely overwhelmed and can do nothing to stop it.
A typical Mob Rob:
These mob robs sound frightening similar to the food riots happening around the world. And the really disturbing part is that they're happening more and more frequently...
Teenage 'flash mob' robberies on the rise in the U.S. The Herald June 19, 2011 — The same technologies that for years have brought together the mostly benign and goofy "flash mobs," in which groups suddenly break into dance at a mall or stumble around like zombies at train stations, are being used to plan and execute bold robberies. Police say the suspects select a time and place and enter the store in droves, taking what they want and leaving before security or police can catch them. Some of the most brazen robberies take place in the light of day and on busy streets despite all the security cameras and the watchful eyes of workers. |
How the cell phone jamming works?
It's a classic case of a Catch-22 . Personal freedoms vs. public safety: it'll evolve into a case for the courts to ultimately decide upon.
At the end of the day, social media – like any other tool – can be used for good and for bad. Cars can be used for transporting people to the hospital or for helping robbers make their escape.
Knives can be used to save a life on an operating table or to take a life in a street mugging. But you don't ban cars or knives just because they can be used by bad guys, do you?
Sources:
Don’t shoot the (instant) messenger
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/113996
Cell Phone Service Shut Down to Deter Organized Riots
http://www.wealthwire.com/news/liberty/1692
