Big Brother, not just a reality TV show anymore

I think the most important communication technology we should focus on is the VoIP advances that have come along lately. Not only does this have the ability to completely change the telephone industry, but it has almost infinite applications in online communication, if the downsides can be overcome.
Second life.com recently added this technology to its super awesome MMORPG, now Avatars are able to talk to each other in more than text bubbles at the bottom of the screen, the down side to this is the disappearance of anonymity. A combination of text and speech seems to be where this is headed.
In the “real” world I also have concerns of cell phones type technology being too easy. Big brother might see it fit to some day place a microphone in every car, home, etc, especially if this will combat terrorism.