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.