Watch any Hollywood thriller and technology is nearly always portrayed as the tool of Big Brother.

Whether it's films like The Bourne Ultimatum, Enemy of the State, or the recent Die Hard 4, network technologies are largely used as a means to repress and control the general public.

In real life then it's refreshing to find social networking site Facebook being used as a tool for democratic protest.

As the BBC reported today an online protest by students on Facebook has forced HSBC bank into a u-turn over its plans to scrap interest-free overdrafts for students.

Faced with an organised online boycott by thousands of students the bank withdrew the measure, with NUS president Wes Streeting acknowledging the impact of the Facebook protest on the decision.

Detractors of Facebook have long been scaremongering over privacy concerns about sharing your thoughts and information online with large numbers of people. What's far more interesting though is the very potential to do just this on more important issues, helping people collaborate in a way that would not otherwise be possible.

With traditional media channels increasingly homogenised, and modern politics less-and-less a viable means of representation for some of us, its great to see the web still affords a democratic outlet as a way to get your voice heard.

Nick Welch