This makes it seem as if the NSA would stop spying on Americans if the data wasn’t available on the open market. If we just change our data privacy laws! Histor

This makes it seem as if the NSA would stop spying on Americans if the data wasn’t available on the open market. If we just change our data privacy laws! Historically, the NSA doesn’t care whether they get the info off the open market or from in-house infrastructure. They’re probably doing both now. The problem isn’t this particular method they happen to be using today. The problem is that the NSA and the 4th Amendment are often in conflict, and the NSA wins because there’s no consequences for violating it.