They shovel multi multi millions in "donations" to our esteemed universities. I think they're getting any info they care to have, don't you? They're certainly not going to be content with merely plaques and honorary degrees.
I think they've also figured out that our current batch of "leaders" have less and less love of country and more how can I enrich myself and my family ... and they are capitalizing on that big time.
The White House and Congress has a price tag and they know what it is.
I think a difference in the computer age is how much more, these days, our alphabet agencies are willing to, not just "look the other way" so to speak, but to participate, top-down, in the schemes to sell data on everything for raw political power and financial gain.
I don't think any FReepers trust big gov agencies, swamp pols or big lib media.