The author seems really concerned with privacy and surveillance. I'm no expert on the subject. But, why all the concern? He said they're working really hard

The author seems really concerned with privacy and surveillance. I'm no expert on the subject. But, why all the concern? He said they're working really hard to keep that stuff private. Are there legal risks here? Will the government come after you if you say the wrong thing? I don't really get it. I think the biggest security risk is just your email, if hackers get into that: that's where all the potentially financially devastating information is.