More Quixotic Attempts to Stem the March of Technology

From the New York Times via the International Herald Tribune, a story about the discomfort of some governments at the pictures available on Google Earth. That service provides high-resolution satellite pictures of places all over the world for free.

Yet, according to the New York Times, "Google Earth has received attention of an unexpected sort. Officials of several nations have expressed alarm over its detailed display of government buildings, military installations and other sensitive sites within their borders."

But, as on one security analyst at Sandia National Laboratories put it, the governments simply need to accept the new reality. In his words, "times are changing, and the best thing to do is adapt to advances in technology."

The same is true of protecting trade secrets generally. Some can simply no longer be protected in light of the march of technology. Companies need to recognize that reality and move on. As in anything, adaptation will be the key.