Interesting article, but it's a pity they chose to lead with weasel words.
"One thing sits at the heart of what many consider a surveillance state within the US today."
"One thing sits at the heart of what many consider a surveillance state within the US today."
The readership at Hacker News firmly believes that the US is a surveillance state. Stories are chosen and upvoted which confirm this worldview. Dissenting opinions are downvoted. If you're looking for a reasoned evidence-based discussion of the NSA, then choose a different website.