British Prime Minister David Cameron sparked heated debate today after publically responding to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Conservative leader suggested that the government may take a more active interest in regulating smartphone apps within the UK, including WhatsApp, Snapchat and iMessage.

His concerns revolved around public safety, arguing it was in the country's best interests to limit secure communications that authorities and the police are unable to listen in to.

Anti-terrorism, or big brother measures?

The call comes after the British government made a limited effort to block online pornography via ISP opt-in requirements, and has aggressively pushed for more privacy-compromising powers ever since the Edward Snowden leaks.

"[It] has been possible to read someone’s letter, to listen to someone’s call, to mobile communications," Cameron said, defending his new plans for limiting privacy rights despite having recently attended a rally in Paris in support of freedom of expression. "Are we going to allow a means of communications where it simply is not possible to do that? My answer to that question is: no, we must not."

The UK government's interest in online affairs has been rapidly increasing of late, and now looks set to begin limiting the functionality of portable devices and their apps.