In the past two years the world of communications has experienced a revolution as computers across the world have learned to speak with one another. As our global society goes on line with increasing frequency, we should take care to recognize that many of the assumptions we have long taken for granted simply do not apply at all in the totally new world of cyberspace.
Privacy is a prime example.
The law protects these assumptions by imposing criminal penalties for mail tampering, and by providing a right to sue for invasion of privacy for unauthorized opening of personal mail. Similarly, we assume that our telephone conversations are confidential and know that a court order is needed before even the government can easedrop. Given this background, it is hardly unreasonable to expect the same degree of privacy for E-mail messages sent across the Internet, or for the files stored in your workplace computer. To ensure that the statement will be private, the speaker must get out of the public right of way. Similarly, if the doorway to your company's computers is left wide open by an unsecured Internet connection, you probably have no legal redress if someone wanders in and copies what is in plain view.