It has become clear that communication in cyberspace in not completely private. E-mail messages, for example, can be retrieved even if they have not been saved by either the sender or the receiver. To protect themselves, some persons and companies now rely on encryption. But the federal government has been seeking for several years now to ensure access to encrypted messages through the establishment of escrowed encryption standards, which would essentially give federal authorities a pass-key to all online communication if circumstances warrant such an intrusion. A great deal of new legislation has recently been proposed in this area, and issues of morality continue to be at the forefront.
Equity is an interesting area that has only recently garnered the attention of commentators.
While some observers focus generally on the nature and extent of the right to receive information, others argue that equal access to cyberspace is particularly essential for America's public school children. As more and more people begin to conduct business on the Internet, electronic commerce has emerged as a fascinating new area of inquiry. This focus on commercial transactions in cyberspace includes an examination of electronic contracts in light of common law contract principles and the Uniform Commercial Code. Academics and policy makers are also paying a good deal of attention to the implications of transferring money and even property through cyberspace. This year promises to be a turning point in cyberspace law and policy.