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UK Police Chief Says American Citizens Can be Included in Crackdown on Social Media Comments
UK police warn of crackdown on social media commentary related to recent riots, threatening to extradite and prosecute individuals, including American citizens, for online offenses such as incitement and hate speech.
Arrest of a Extinction Rebellion protester, Whitehall, October 2019, Photo by John Cameron
London's Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has warned that officials will crack down on individuals, including American citizens, for commentary on the recent UK riots, stating that "we will come after you" regardless of location. The warning comes as the UK government scours social media to arrest people for sharing riot footage, with threats of extradition for those violating rules on political speech online.
The riots, sparked by false rumors of an asylum seeker's involvement in a mass stabbing, have led to violent protests and clashes between anti-immigration protesters and counter-protesters. Footage of the clashes has gone viral, prompting the government to warn of serious consequences for sharing such content.
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Commissioner Rowley emphasized that "being a keyboard warrior does not make you safe from the law," citing offenses such as incitement, stirring up racial hatred, and terrorist offenses related to publishing material. He stated that individuals provoking hatred and violence online will be pursued, regardless of their location.
The crackdown has raised concerns, with high-profile figures like Elon Musk criticizing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's response to the riots. Musk has suggested that the UK is headed toward "civil war" and questioned whether the country is becoming like the Soviet Union in its handling of online commentary.
