Digital Giants Must Tackle Millennial Terrorists

Hosting the Counter Terror Awards, Olympia, London
Hosting the Security & Counter Terror Awards, Olympia, London

Former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon, presenting the first Counter Terror Awards at the Security & Counter Terror Expo 18 called on tech industry giants to “help root out” terrorists who are using social media to spread extremism.

In his speech, “Tackling the Millennial Terrorist”, the Sevenoaks MP said the changing nature of terrorism meant digital companies have a duty to help “tackle the aggressors behind the algorithms and the enemies behind the encryption.  These companies are hiding behind the pretence that they are not publishers: on the contrary, they have created huge ungoverned spaces in which extremism flourishes.  It’s bad enough that some of them don’t pay proper taxes in the UK; what’s shocking is that they could be doing much more to help our security services forestall these deadly attacks.”

He argued that recent terror attacks show everyone is now a legitimate target, saying: “As terrorists adopt more low level methods, killing with knives and vans, the range of targets increases”.

“90 per cent of organised terrorism on the Internet takes place via social media”, he said, “and for these millennial terrorists communication is 90 per cent of their struggle. Facebook, Google and the rest cannot opt out of their responsibility”.

Sir Michael also praised the “brainpower of innovative British businesses” for their part in tackling the threat.  He presented 10 companies and public sector organisations with Counter Terror awards.

You can read the full speech here.

Fallon Calls for Fairer Economy

Michael called for a ‘fairer economy’ from the backbenches in the debate on the Autumn Budget yesterday.

The local MP welcomed a range of measures from the Chancellor, supporting longer-term and additional money for the NHS.

He called for further action in four specific areas:

First, he argued that the National Insurance threshold should be raised in line with the income tax one. He pointed out that some low paid workers are paying as much in NI contributions as they are income tax.

Second, he highlighted the need for companies like Amazon and Google to pay their share of rates and tax, asserting that Britain ‘shouldn’t have different economies for the big and the small.’

Third, he pointed out that when Margaret Thatcher left government in 1990, 11 million people owned shares. Today, however, only 8 million do. He called for tax breaks for companies that offer free shares to employees and for discounted shares to be offered to the public when the government’s stake in RBS is sold off.

Finally, the Sevenoaks MP advocated a more vigorous push from Government for exports, noting, ‘outside the Single Market, we’re going to live and die by what we sell’.

‘A fairer economy, much wider employee share ownership, exporting at the heart of every government industrial policy, these are some of the steps towards our new economic future’, Michael suggested.  ‘Muddling along, mere managerialism will not be enough.’

Concluding his speech, Michael added: ‘Brexit Britain requires a bigger vision, more confident, outward-looking, self-rewarding.  Let’s build on this Budget to enable Britain to be bolder still.’

Michael Delighted with Charity’s Progress

 

Michael has expressed his delight at the progress the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) has made in the past year.  As the charity’s President, Michael recently met with the Chief Executive, Dr. Tom Pey, to discuss future projects.

In January 2017, the Royal Society for Blind Children and Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB), which was based in Sevenoaks, merged to create RSBC.  The new charity has the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen and employs 100 people.

At the meeting, Dr. Pey informed Michael that, by 2020, he hopes the charity will have helped 11,000 blind and partially sighted children and young people in England and Wales.  The charity recorded an annual turnover of around £3.7 million.

Dr. Pey and Michael reviewed the recent success of RSBC’s new social innovation organisation, Wayfindr, which aims to improve independent travel for vision-impaired people.  The new indoor-navigation programme, which was successfully tested on London Underground, is going global and has attracted the support from organisations such as Google.

Michael said: ‘With income up, more innovation, and ambition sky-high, it’s great to know such a vital charity is doing so well.  I am proud to be part of RSBC, which originated here in Sevenoaks, and commend Tom for all his hard work.’

Google Comes To Sevenoaks

Google came to Sevenoaks in April 2014
Google last came to Sevenoaks in April 2014

You may recall the ‘Google comes to Sevenoaks – Getting British Business Online’ event that Michael hosted at the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks in April 2014.

Michael is hosting another Google event on Friday 20th March from 3 – 5pm at the Stag Theatre.

This workshop is to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to gain the necessary skills to get the most out of their digital marketing and boost their online presence.

A Google expert with deliver a presentation, followed by a break-out session where Google staff will be on hand to give 1 : 1 consultations, tips, guidance and practical advice on the effective use of Google tools.

This session is free and will be open to all who book a place in advance.  You can find further details here.