I think people are much more aware of it since Snowden. And, as with all knowledge, people have chosen to respond in different ways. Some have become much more privacy-minded and actively seek out like-minded products and companies. Others haven't because it's not that important to them, which is their prerogative.

> I don't think people's ignorance is a good reason to not protect them.

Even if there are some who are completely in the dark about privacy, this mindset would lead to regulation protecting people from literally everything, as there will always be people ignorant of something. I don't think it's the right default stance to take.

> We should not be forced into such a choice and the only way that will happen is regulation.

We have a right to privacy in the sense that we can choose not to use a product or service that invades our privacy. But we can't force our right to privacy on others.

The good news is, if there's a market for privacy-minded products, entrepreneurs will provide for that market. And I believe there is a market, because there's an increasing amount of privacy-minded alternatives.

> EDIT: then again, this will never happen, because where do you think the gov gets their information from!

Hah, this we can agree on! And I think it highlights an important point: How can we trust government to protect our privacy when they've been the biggest aggressor against our privacy?