Consumers seeking legal advice to decipher internet freedoms

Consumers, increasingly forced to seek legal advice to decipher often incoherent internet freedom and security rules, are calling for tighter regulations on social networks.

Some 48 per cent of the public stated that they would support the temporary shutdown of social networks to prevent coordinated criminal activity during periods of civil unrest.

Furthermore, 56 per cent claimed that they would take legal action against companies which experience online data breaches.

Jonathan Polnay, barrister in criminal law, maintains that the government must take a clearer stand on social media and internet freedoms.

"I'm not surprised the public is [calling] for more control of [social media]," Mr Polnay stated.

"I think but for social media the [August] riots wouldn't have happened or wouldn't have happened at all to the same extend that they did," he continued.

However, Mr Polnay is doubtful that the government will introduce measures to tighten up rules governing internet freedom, as tight restrictions could breach European Union free speech legislation.

Published by Phil Hammond