Several recent NY Times articles reflect growing concerns over increasing government access to  and retention of communications and other data here in the U.S.:

 

Police Are Using Phone Tracking as a Routine Tool

By ERIC LICHTBLAU

Published: March 31, 2012

Law enforcement tracking of cellphones is a convenient surveillance tool in many situations, but it is unclear if using such technology without a warrant violates the Constitution.

 

U.S. Relaxes Limits on Use of Data in Terror Analysis

By CHARLIE SAVAGE

Published: March 22, 2012

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. signed new guidelines on how analysts may access, store and search information gathered by government agencies about Americans.

 

And in the UK:

 

Britons Protest Proposal to Widen Surveillance

By ALAN COWELL

Published: April 2, 2012

Reported government plans to give intelligence services the ability to monitor the electronic communications of every person in the country drew fire on Monday.

 

Katherine J. Strandburg