This comment is as if the 2001-2010 decade never happened. Secret wiretaps. Secret Evidence. Overseas torture facilities. Imprisonment without charges. What makes you think that checks and balances would miraculously appear after having disappeared for over a decade.

NOTE: this is a USA-centric viewpoint

Those are USA-centric examples.

I'm sure the viewpoint is just as valid across five eyes and even worse in places like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China et al.

I'm from Australia, allegedly a 1st world democracy - and secret wiretaps, secret evidence (and even secret trials!), overseas torture facilities, imprisonment without charges - are all public policy, covered my the media, and enshrined in laws passes by both of the two-party political system.

Don't forget raiding journalists homes and public broadcasters (using illegal warrants!) for reporting on proposed secret spying and hacking laws.

Nice "democracy".

If the conspiracy exists Apple is an active participant in secretly and illegally undermining the constitutional rights of well over a hundred million Americans. If the conspiracy does not exist, then they're simply lawfully invading people's privacy in order to improve their profits.

But you're right, none of the people who broke all the laws Snowden showed us were getting broken has suffered any consequences.