[benevol]

Just like the Brits could have used the cracked Enigma code to stop each and every German operation during the War, they refrained from doing so and used it only for very specific situations (in order to avoid their cover being blown).

Expect the same behavior from the NSA. They will use their power first and foremost whenever it benefits themselves, not to protect all citizens or corporations.

[spacehome]

Um, what?

The Brits acted sparingly using the cracked Enigma code precisely because they were trying to protect as many citizens as they could -- if they acted every time, the Germans would have figured out the code was compromised and switched to a stronger code.

[adrusi]

Except now everyone knows a lot about the capabilities of the NSA, and every serious criminal is already using the strongest encryption available and doesn't have any course of action for when the NSA is onto them.

It would be like if the British "blew their cover" and the Germans could only respond by completely ceasing all encrypted communication. Not the best possible outcome if they do, but still a positive outcome.

It's an even better outcome for cybercrime, since ceasing all communications would mean ceasing everything. If the NSA did this, the criminal would probably just stop operating, which means they might not be brought to justice, but at least the attacks would stop.

[hwstar]

American government agencies put one thing above all else: Self preservation. If a duty to society involves risk which could make them be seen in a bad light, they will avoid it, or try to state it isn't their problem.