(+) e-Books: An Invasion of Privacy?

I must admit that I am a technology buff. I enjoy staying abreast of the latest technology advances, especially anything that can potentially make genealogy research and record keeping easier. For years I have been closely monitoring the advances in e-books: the publishing of books and other materials in electronic media instead of on paper. I have generally been enthusiastic about this developing technology, even writing a lengthy review of Amazon's new Kindle e-book reader.

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When I first obtained the Amazon Kindle, I was very enthusiastic about it. The Kindle has great technology, is easy to read, and appears to be the wave of the future. I believe that the Amazon Kindle as well as the earlier Sony Reader and other future e-book readers yet unannounced will revolutionize the publishing industry. However, as I have continued investigating the Amazon Kindle and other e-book readers, I have become more and more concerned about privacy and legal issues. My concerns have nothing to do with the technology: I am still as impressed as ever with the readability and usefulness of these e-book readers. However, I am now so concerned with the privacy and legal ramifications that I am tempted to permanently power off my Kindle e-book reader.

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