Ability is separate from legality. Make it illegal and it will doubtless continue, but it will be a risk for those doing it and they can be punished if uncovered. If it could be tied to politicians they might again tighten the rules.

Far more satisfying than finding out your data is being siphoned and your complaints are met with a shrug and a chuckle.

Just because the NSA can see it doesn't mean we should allow the local PD, DA or even state legislature to see it.

Very true

If you’re a non intelligence agency trying to do opioid surveillance, easier to buy insurance and marketing data than to break the law.

You still need to be able to decrypt which is what makes these data sets way more valuable