In the wake of National Security Agency (NSA) Surveillance saga, encryption has taken a new level of priority in the scheme of web service providers who have privacy of users in mind. Google has led the way in encrypting users' data, and have also promised extending same level of encryption to searches by users.

Whilst other internet companies have equally implemented digital defenses in response to reports that the NSA has been tracking online communications without the companies' knowledge or cooperation, privacy advocates had described the moves as long overdue, albeit, warning that the companies' efforts may not be a permanent safeguard, as encryption technology continues to evolve.

Privacy will remain a major debated topic in 2014, and as targeted tracking technologies gains upper hand, may even pose serious security concerns. 

Social networking platforms like Facebook has already demonstrated the business side of the social web, even as analysts remain wary of Twitter IPO, latest indication proves otherwise as WSJ reports that shares have nearly tripled since their initial public offering last month, including an almost 5% gain on Thursday, making the microblogging site's IPO one of the best performing this year.

Microsoft generation-shift to embracing users' feedback in enhancing its service offerings cannot be denied, and the innovative approach has seen it regaining immense number of users, especially across its web services including Outlook.com.

The whole of 2013 can be summed up as a new beginning for the enthroning of web-based application and services over conventional technologies. And the coming year will witness an unusual level of engagement and development in that regard.

Flashbacks: 2013 in Retrospect

In the wake of National Security Agency (NSA) Surveillance saga, encryption has taken a new level of priority in the scheme of web service providers who have privacy of users in mind. Google has led the way in encrypting users' data, and have also promised extending same level of encryption to searches by users.

Whilst other internet companies have equally implemented digital defenses in response to reports that the NSA has been tracking online communications without the companies' knowledge or cooperation, privacy advocates had described the moves as long overdue, albeit, warning that the companies' efforts may not be a permanent safeguard, as encryption technology continues to evolve.

Privacy will remain a major debated topic in 2014, and as targeted tracking technologies gains upper hand, may even pose serious security concerns. 

Social networking platforms like Facebook has already demonstrated the business side of the social web, even as analysts remain wary of Twitter IPO, latest indication proves otherwise as WSJ reports that shares have nearly tripled since their initial public offering last month, including an almost 5% gain on Thursday, making the microblogging site's IPO one of the best performing this year.

Microsoft generation-shift to embracing users' feedback in enhancing its service offerings cannot be denied, and the innovative approach has seen it regaining immense number of users, especially across its web services including Outlook.com.

The whole of 2013 can be summed up as a new beginning for the enthroning of web-based application and services over conventional technologies. And the coming year will witness an unusual level of engagement and development in that regard.