The idea of shutting down social media to stop the spread of misinformation that leads to unrest is a “slippery slope,” says one industry expert.
Michele Neylon, CEO of domain registry company Blacknight, said proving that a site causes “actual harm” and is “inherently bad” is challenging from a legal perspective.
Nearly 800 people have been arrested in the UK this month in connection with Unrest against immigration which began due to false rumors of a triple murder in Southport.
X owner Elon Musk has also been criticised for his role in stoking tensions in the UK, with Simon Harris warning last week: Social media companies and their owners would be fined for allowing harmful content on their platforms due to new regulations.
Internet service provider
To Breakfast briefingMr Neylon said it would be possible to block the use of certain social media sites in Ireland.
“(Ireland) could force internet service providers (ISPs) to stop accepting or forwarding traffic to and from them,” he said.
“They could definitely do it, but it wouldn’t be easy and the ISPs would fight back fiercely.
“If there was an immediate threat to life and limb, the ISP could order that no more traffic be allowed in a certain direction.
“More tech-savvy users could get around it, but average users on their phone or laptop probably wouldn’t.”
Elon Musk. Image: AC NewsPhoto/AlamyMr Neylon questioned the ethics of such a move.
“Is this really the way we want to do things?” he said.
“This is problematic because dissenting voices are important.
“It’s an interesting balancing act: do you block the opinions you don’t like or do you try to educate the public a little more?
“I am one of those people who believe in an Internet that is as free and open as possible, but at the same time there are large state actors and powerful companies that can manipulate what we perceive as reality.”
Push back
Mr Neylon also said that blocking social media sites would lead to backlash.
“In some ways it’s a slippery slope,” he said.
“You have to be able to prove that a particular social network is somehow inherently bad and actually causes great harm.”
Yesterday, a man was also arrested for making threats against Taoiseach Simon Harris on social media.
Main image: Person with fingers on laptop keyboard. Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
