The prediction, in brief:

The basic infrastructure of the Internet – which was designed to zip data around unpoliced – still hasn’t been modified to make sure that snoops and thieves can’t grab private information off your computers or read your e-mail. Meanwhile, dozens of companies are making plans to introduce digitized forms of money – but can we trust them?

Predictor: Levy, Steven

Prediction, in context:

In a 1995 article for Newsweek, authors Steven Levy, Katie Hafner and Roger Adams write:”As we rush headlong toward electronic commerce, the basic infrastructure of the Internet – which was designed to zip data around unpoliced – still hasn’t been modified to make sure that snoops and thieves can’t grab private information off your computers or read your e-mail. Meanwhile, dozens of companies are making plans to introduce digitized forms of money – but can we trust them?”

Biography:

Steven Levy was a 1990s technology journalist. He wrote on the topic for decades for such publications as Newsweek and Wired. He is the author of the books “Hackers,” “Artificial Life” and “Crypto.” (Author/Editor/Journalist.)

Date of prediction: December 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues

Subtopic: Privacy/Surveillance

Name of publication: Newsweek

Title, headline, chapter name: The Year of the Internet

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 26

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney