This new edition of Impact of Information on Society takes account of a number of new developments affecting information’s impact on our lives. It also incorporates lessons to be learnt from prominent events. For example, a ‘UK Freedom of Information Act’, forecast in the 1st edition, is now law and so updating is necessary. The growing significance of knowledge management today requires a closer look at this field and clarification of its relation to information management. The first edition has been reviewed critically and sections have been amplified and rearranged, with new material being added where necessary. To mention just a few points: since the 1st edition, there have been amendments to copyright, data protection legislation and human rights legislation. The consequences of the enormous and growing level of use of the Internet, eMail and mobile phones (including text messaging) also requires reassessment.