Because data sharing is so easy, we have been forced to rethink our views on intellectual property. New software licenses have emerged, which in some cases fly in the face of the traditional copyright system. Some see the licenses as so diametrically opposed to copyright that they have adopted the term copyleft to describe them.

Most importantly, the unimpeded flow of information across the Internet has made us think about privacy and free speech issues. The ease of data exchange allows people to express unpopular views, but also permits nearly effortless eavesdropping by shadowy (and often government-sponsored) third parties.

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