Exactly right - and initially the expanded use of these systems is not visible. PRISM, for example, was found to be used frequently by NSA employees to look in

Exactly right - and initially the expanded use of these systems is not visible. PRISM, for example, was found to be used frequently by NSA employees to look into the activities of romantic interests or exes. Nobody knew about it for years until an audit took place. We're told that the abuse of this system was unusual and handled appropriately, and no longer a problem. (Is it, really?) The next phase is of course the court cases, where authorities seek legal access to the data which is collected. Usually the police win these cases to establish legal precedent. Still - your average citizen is not reading civil rights-related or tech-related news, and they have no idea this happens. By the time your average person finds out what the newly collected data is being used for, it's far too late to do anything about it. Then there's the political aspect, which we are not likely to ever hear about. The boss's boss's boss's boss needs a favor done, don't ask why or for whom. That data, go get it. Listen, be discreet, no email and no cell phone. This is the one which is the most scary; an authoritarian in power who wants to target the opposition. Depending on the country, that could be a list of people who disappears and is never seen again - or in the US, gets raided over dubious charges by the local police as a form of harassment.