There's been rising concern over how much information social networks give away about individuals, most of it passively it has to be said.
But if Governments get access to the information the sites have already processed to sell on, then it makes their jobs so much easier, basically it boils down to a live feed of what each and every user is talking about, and where they are doing it (either via IP or geotagging).
Your publicly visible social network is all well and good, up to a point.
But if you find yourself classed as a subversive (for whatever reason) under and oppressive regime, you're screwed...and so are most of your friends.
For security agencies it's a total godsend and (worst case) your opinions today could see you jailed in twenty years.
Shit, I could type up 'death to all Americans' as a joke on Twitter and immediately be barred from entering the USA already (oh, and as a bonus, expect an interrogation when I get off the plane).
Are forums safer?
I dunno, but the fact that many are run by individuals or companies who may not be under the same jurisdiction of the countries their servers are based in, might make a difference.
That is, until those countries pass laws that allow their governments to access the data 'at source' that is.
