[LINK] itNews: Tas Police fed up with Social Media

[Roger Clarke]

Tasmanian cops decline to 'censor Internet'
Ry Crozier
Jul 13, 2012 12:39 PM (2 days ago)
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/308553,tasmanian-cops-decline-to-censor-internet.aspx

Posting to Facebook isn't a crime.

Tasmania's police force has taken the unusual step of asking the 
public to stop alerting it to every "abusive or harassing" comment 
posted to Facebook or other social media sites.

The force said it was "increasingly receiving complaints" about 
material posted to the sites.

However, it sought to clarify that "the use of technology to 
undertake some conduct does not in itself create an offence".

"If the conduct complained of would not amount to an offence if it 
occurred off-line, then it is not an offence simply because in a 
particular instance it was undertaken with the aid of digital 
technology," the department noted.

"For example, complaints have been received about comments posted on 
Facebook which are abusive or harassing. If this behavior occurred in 
a public place it would not be a reportable offence.

"It is not the role of Tasmania Police to censor internet content."

Acting inspector Luke Manhood urged the public to lodge complaints 
directly with Facebook.

"Police should be contacted only where the content relates directly 
to a crime," he said.

[Tas Police Statement:
http://www.police.tas.gov.au/news/posts/view/3134/Facebook+Complaints/

[Link offered to Facebook's site:
http://www.facebook.com/report/


-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/
			            
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
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mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University