* Humans have gone through a series of "information revolutions" through history -- starting with the invention of writing; then the moveable-type printing press; the telegraph; radio; and finally the digital computer. Along with this evolution of information technologies, there was an evolution of laws concerning what would now be called "data rights": the rights to privacy and security of data, as well as freedom of public expression and intellectual property protection. Such issues have become extremely important, and perplexing, in the information-dominated world of the 21st century. This document provides a survey of the topic.
