This is a great evolution in social media, surprisingly useful and more protective than others. We’ll have to see if we can all harness it to its potential… -Shannonmariesmith

story below, source: Gizmodo

Mat Honan —In case you were wondering if you should sign up for yet another social network, there’s a compelling reason to use Google+ that you may not have thought of: Freedom.

Or at least, freedom of information. It turns out that Google+ is a pretty good way for journalists and activists to communicate, says the Committee to Protect Journalists. To wit:

• Everything is encrypted in https, preventing your communications from being (easily) intercepted.
• You can conceal who is in your Circles, and who has you in their Circles.
• Unlike Facebook, you don’t have to use your real name.
• Google Takeout will let you export all your data. So if a journalist has to take down their account, they can take that contact information elsewhere.

It’s a thought-provoking post and worth a read if you’re a journalist or activist, or just interested in freedom of the press.