It's also one of the primary benefits of the technology. Computers use the binary system to communicate. Since the communication rates have exceeded the bandwidth required for voice, video, and other classically analog communication there is a continuing shift from analog to digital. With the shift come many side benefits. It doesn't replace the handshake, but does much more than voice alone.
Mobile computing enables a person to have an office on the road.
Encryption technology is controversial because it allows fully secure communications. This can be used for good or bad. On the good side is the business necessity of keeping confidential data secure. Electronic commerce expands the market place. The coupling of web pages to describe products with encrypted credit card payments is becoming common.