The past couple of weeks have been a challenging time for the Internet, though, and our thoughts have turned to the darker side of anonymity and privacy.  The scourge of the so-called #GamerGate movement has resulted in stunning threats of violence against women in the gaming community, causing Brianna Wu and Zoe Quinn to leave their homes after a barrage of threats, and media critic Anita Sarkeesian being forced to cancel a public presentation because of a death threat.  Civility online is under siege, and cyberthreats against women seem to be escalating.  Can anything be done?

Fortunately, Maryland law professor Danielle Citron’s new book, Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, has arrived at just the right moment.  Danielle’s work provides a thorough exposition of the problem and clear-minded thinking about potential solutions.  It’s the perfect weekend reading for those, like this writer, who feel a need to find solutions and restore hope in the potential of online discourse. It is insightful and thoughtful, and a wonderful contribution to our thinking on these essential issues.

Speaking of sensitive information (see what I did there?), University of Colorado’s Paul Ohm, always insightful, has focused his considerable intellect on the topic of sensitive data.  In an article for the Southern California Law Review just released, entitled Sensitive Information, Paul tackles the categories of sensitive personal information and asks the right questions about how we ought to consider treating those types of information. 

Finally, it really wouldn’t be a weekend without thinking about the Internet of Things.  The Harvard Business Review has devoted a substantial part of an issue to how connected devices are transforming competition, and I’m looking forward to digging in. 

If there are interesting and compelling pieces you’re reading or watching about privacy these days, we’d love to know about them.