I think there's a slight difference in that you have an expectation of ephemerality in real-world conversations that you do not (or at least, should not) with F

I think there's a slight difference in that you have an expectation of ephemerality in real-world conversations that you do not (or at least, should not) with Facebook et al. This isn't like the FBI setting up surveillance equipment to capture and monitor conversations; it's like the FBI asking to look at the tapes that people are already gleefully making and leaving around in public bins for others to pick up and watch. I get the reasoning - and honestly, it was my first instinct on the news as well - but I don't think it's a direct analog.