Technology companies fight back in extremism row

Prime Minister Theresa May called for areas of the Internet to be closed because tech giants had provided a “safe space” for terrorist ideology.photo:courtesy

Technology companies have defended their handling of extremist content following the London terror attack.

Prime Minister Theresa May called for areas of the Internet to be closed because tech giants had provided a “safe space” for terrorist ideology.

But Google said it had already spent hundreds of millions of pounds on tackling the problem.

Facebook and Twitter said they were working hard to rid their networks of terrorist activity and support. Google, which owns Youtube, along with Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, and Twitter were among the tech companies already facing pressure to tackle extremist content.

That pressure intensified following Saturday night’s attack, in which seven people were killed and 48 injured. The so-called Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Speaking outside Downing Street on Sunday, Mrs May said: “We cannot allow this ideology the safe space it needs to breed.”