This is a very real problem and provides case in point as to why everyone needs to start using client-side encryption for their data and communications.
In some cases this is still currently impractical to do on a day to day basis but in others such as Email, Social Networking or Instant Messaging it is not[1][2].
[1] I'm involved with a company that recently launched a free tool that provides transparent client-side AES256 encryption for Facebook, Google+, Major Email apps among others.