While I agree with the sentiment in your analysis, the mass spying by the NSA was already well-known even in 2004 which is documented in the novel ("based on insider information") of Dan Brown: digital fortress. I know, it's fiction but it is a data point ..

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Fortress-Thriller-Dan-Brown/d...

(Edit: this is the 2004 edition, original was published in 1998)