Territoriality Versus Virtuality Versus Reality — The Dark Side of the Information Age

While the Global Information Infrastructure ‘GII’ or ‘Information Superhighway’ may be touted as providing world‐wide access to information, in reality it provides world‐wide access to individuals. The GII is a communication tool among human beings. It may be a means of furthering entrepreneurial endeavours (lawful and unlawful), as well as a means to penetrate the privacy of individuals. ‘Territoriality’ — Territorial status, persistent attachment to a specific territory, relates to a geographical area belonging or under the jurisdiction of a government authority. ‘Virtuality’ relates to being in essence or effect, but not in fact. ‘Reality’ is the quality or state of being real. In reality, the GII provides a means of diminished privacy of all persons regardless of whether they use the internet.