Good point. And even longer ago, all conversations required meeting, and were private unless an eavesdropper was physically nearby.<p>Tech has created more extreme possibilities on both sides. On the privacy side, it&#x27;s possible to exchange messages at a distance in an unreadable and nearly undetectable way. On the surveillance side, it&#x27;s possible to eavesdrop on nearly everyone (except the very sophisticated).<p>We can&#x27;t and (don&#x27;t want to) go back in time. The real question is &quot;which danger is greater: conspiracy or oppression?&quot;