rational geekery

I have been thinking about Internet Ver.6

Technology is supposed to liberate and free people; offer learning and a medium to express thoughts and feelings.  Version 6 offers police the ability to quickly trace data ‘packages’ to track criminals… so in theory it could enable security forces the capacity to easily trace dissidents and critics.

Take the young bloggers in China and Iran who speak out against their oppressive regimes; with this new technology government agents could easily pinpoint and silence protesters – the internet, rather than liberating, would enable oppressive forces to silence dissent.

How quickly new freedoms are suppressed?