One of the unfortunate side effect of the explosion of the information systems in recent times is the ever decreasing privacy of the individual. Privacy laws related to information systems have expended all over the world to somewhat give the individual either greater control or security of their confidential communication and data.
The UN has published a Report on the value of encryption to freedom worldwide. Taking input from research on International and national norms and jurisprudence as well as the States and civil society, this report made one thing very clear: that encryption and anonymity enable individuals to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the digital age and, as such, deserve strong protection.
We have a long way to go and I wonder how long it will take us to find the right balance. With governments, policy makers and technical community trying everything to balance privacy, improve economy through cyber security defence while maintaining this balance no doubt the privacy battle will remain on the agenda for some time to come.
