I hope it wakes people up so that we can confront the trade-offs between security and privacy (or safety v. liberty). I'm not optimistic, though. Like the kid said, the technology just keeps getting better at scooping and sorting data for the government and big business.
The kid probably didn't do much harm, but I'm not sure that in a year from now, we'll conclude that he did a lot of good, either. The technology represents some powerful forces (both business and government).
At this stage of my life, it's losing practical significant. Visits to doctors are starting to seem like parole hearings. Before too long, I'll win parole.
But, the government's been right about me. I was never really innocent at all.
But, likely, you've been right; the Gov't is guilty - to the core.