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UK government torn over plans to censor 'extremist' TV shows
The Home Secretary Theresa May wants to give Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, the ability to block shows with extremist content before they're shown on TV. The Queen's Speech will detail some of the Conservative government's legislative plans next week, and it's already been confirmed that Ofcom will be given "a strengthened role" to tackle broadcasters perceived to be showing extremist content. The new powers will be part of a new Counter-Extremism Bill which includes immigration restrictions for extremists and the power to close premises where extremists are thought to be influencing others.
The UK wants to essentially ban all secure communications
In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Paris, the UK Prime Minister David Cameron has called for stronger legislation against secure forms of communication. Encryption wasn't specifically mentioned, instead the Conservative party leader reaffirmed his stance with a question: "Do we want to allow a means of communication between people which, even in extremis, with a signed warrant from the home secretary personally, we cannot read?" Cameron pressed forward with the argument that terrorists are using these protected methods of communication and that the UK government, with fresh legislation in 2016, should be able to monitor them. "Are we going to allow a means of communication where it simply isn't possible to do that? My answer to that is, no, we must not," he said.
