Maybe I'm being naive, but what's preventing Google or Facebook from using their resources to launch a PR campaign against these requests from the FBI, or at the very least be a bit more outspoken about them?
The fact that they do not give a shit about you and your data (and why should they?).
If you want your data to be encrypted, you have to do it at your end. PGP has shown exactly how much people really care about keeping their communication private if it requires even a minuscule amount of effort.
In theory, nothing. In practice, creating tension with the FBI and DoJ who may then decide to investigate or prosecute them for entirely unrelated things that would otherwise not have been investigated or prosecuted, etc.
They have a choice between doing the Right Thing and doing the Easy Thing. We'll know what they choose soon enough.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57577958-38/google-fights-...