Traffic hazards on the superhighway

Discussions in the US regarding the National Information Infrastructure, also called the electronic highway or the information superhighway, have garnered attention at conferences, in the media, and before Congress. The NII is really a cooperative effort between the US government and several private entities, including AT&T, Digital, Hewlett Packard, and Sprint, who are being encouraged to develop and test concepts and applications. One goal of the NII is that everyone will have access to international networks of information and communication. The coming era promises electronic democracy, electronic commerce, electronic classrooms, electronic funds transfers, and electronic publishing-all of which will allegedly foster improved communication. education, and quality of life. The author discusses how several difficult legal problems place serious hazards in the road to the information superhighway.<>