Facebook, Twitter execs to meet with UK officials on proposed ban

Following last week's riots in the United Kingdom, officials of Facebook, Twitter, and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion will reportedly meet with U.K. officials to discuss a call by Prime Minister David Cameron to ban rioters from social networks. Tech site PC Magazine reported the companies are scheduled to meet with UK Home Secretary Theresa May this week. "We look forward to meeting with the Home Secretary to explain the measures we have been taking to ensure that Facebook is a safe and positive platform in the U.K. at this challenging time," PC Magazine quoted Facebook as saying. It also quoted Facebook as saying it has removed "any credible threats of violence" from its site in recent days. "We have been pleased to see the very positive uses millions of people have been making to our service to let friends and family know they are safe and to strengthen their communities," Facebook added. PC Mag noted Facebook's community standards allow the site to "remove support for violent organizations" and bans "sadistic displays of violence against people or animals." For their part, Twitter and RIM will also reportedly be involved in next week's meeting. "We'd be happy to listen," PC Mag quoted Twitter as saying, although Twitter did not comment further. Last week, Cameron said Scotland Yard and intelligence agencies are considering a ban on social media for those known to be plotting violence. But over the weekend, groups in the UK have also used Facebook and Twitter to rebuild and recover from the riots. — RSJ, GMA News