Amber Rudd Mocked For Saying Knowing 'Necessary Hashtags' Will Counter Terror

Home Secretary's plan greeted with howls of despair.
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Home Secretary Amber Rudd today did a round of Sunday morning TV interviews to signal a crackdown on terrorists using social media to plot their attacks.

Westminster attacker Khalid Masood used WhatsApp just minutes before ploughing his car into pedestrians in central London.

Rudd indicated she wants WhatsApp and other social media companies to do more to help the Government catch those planning terror - but it was her suggestion that she wanted help from people who “understand the necessary hashtags” that may become the most memorable moment of the media push. She said:

“The best people who understand the technology, who understand the necessary hashtags to stop this stuff ever being put up, not just taken down, but ever being put up in the first place are going to be them.”

In response, there was despair ...

Amber Rudd says she wants to consult with people who "understand the necessary hashtags". Christ almighty these people make our laws. #marr

— Jack Blanchard (@Jack_Blanchard_) March 26, 2017

People say I don't get technology. But Amber Rudd wants to fight terrorism with "the best people..who understand the necessary hashtags" o_O

— Sir Peter Mannion MP (@PeterMannionMP) March 26, 2017

Amber Rudd to consult with people 'who know the necessary hashtags' - I cannot even. This is like BBC's 2012 #marr

— Felicity Morse (@FelicityMorse) March 26, 2017

PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE NECESSARY HASHTAGS pic.twitter.com/drnt6KeZKX

— AliciaMelville-Smith (@alicia_ms) March 26, 2017

... an orgy of gifs ...

I've been trained in the necessary hashtags. pic.twitter.com/LSV8r1bOuq

— Stephen Bush (@stephenkb) March 26, 2017

"The best people understand the necessary hashtags to stop this stuff being put up" - Amber Rudd, home secretary on full UK crypto ban pic.twitter.com/vwHraRLPxd

— Jay Rodgers (@headmelted) March 26, 2017

Amber rudd showing as much understanding of the internet as Je from the IT crowd. Politicians are useless #necessaryhashtags pic.twitter.com/Wgt9nyZX7j

— Anon (@Lost_Droids) March 26, 2017

Amber Rudd's "the people who understand the necessary hashtags" is this generation's "the internet is a series of tubes". pic.twitter.com/dyNPPs7JAJ

— Robert Perry (Pez) (@pez_sez) March 26, 2017

... the suggestion the best men were on the job ...

"In here are all the necessary hashtags Bond" pic.twitter.com/POFWODfKdR

— Martin Weller (@mweller) March 26, 2017

... a call to national pride ...

Do you understand the #necessaryhashtags? Report to the Home Office IMMEDIATELY https://t.co/X9ILPh12k9 pic.twitter.com/3mm1xzEg3x

— Owen Bennett (@owenjbennett) March 26, 2017

... and a suggestion for a better use of the phrase.

If one doesn't already exist, someone please, please create a band called the #necessaryhashtags

— Gary Rae (@gary_rae) March 26, 2017
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