The article discusses Ecuador's approach to intellectual property, economic policy, and foreign investment under President Rafael Correa's government. It highlights the Mercado de la Bahia in Guayaquil, a market known for unlicensed goods, and the U.S. government's view of it as a threat to intellectual property rights. The article outlines Ecuador's legislative changes, including the decriminalization of copyright violations and efforts to create a social knowledge economy. It also touches on the impact of these policies on foreign investment, citing the withdrawal of Kinross Gold from a major project and the government's approach to the banking and media sectors. The author shares personal experiences with the Ecuadorian judicial and visa systems, suggesting a lack of impartiality and transparency. The article concludes with the author's own challenges in Ecuador after publishing critical journalism, resulting in non-renewal of a work visa and financial repercussions.

The article is a first-person account of a Canadian journalist who grew up in Ecuador and experienced the early days of the Internet as a liberating tool for global connection. However, the journalist's perspective shifts after the Edward Snowden revelations in 2013, which exposed the NSA's mass surveillance programs. The journalist discusses the personal impact of surveillance, including being targeted by Ecuador's intelligence agency after criticizing President Rafael Correa and the government's actions. The article also touches on the broader implications of mass surveillance, the controversial Canadian anti-terrorism act, Bill C-51, and the journalist's move to Berlin, where there is a growing resistance against mass surveillance. The journalist advocates for limited, judge-approved surveillance and public examination to ensure democratic compliance. The article concludes with a call to protect the Internet as a free and private space, linking it to the fight for democracy.

The article discusses Shari Steele's role as the new executive director of the Tor Project, her background with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and her approach to leadership. It covers the challenges faced by the Tor Project, including its association with illegal activities on the Dark Web and its reliance on US government funding. The article highlights the importance of Tor for online anonymity and censorship circumvention, as well as the ideological and moral incentives for developers working on the project. Steele's plans to diversify funding sources and build a stronger support system for the organization are also mentioned. The article touches on the FBI's stance on encryption and the misrepresentation of Tor's involvement in child abuse material traffic.