[barrkel]

I wonder how much of this is down to policy changes, and how much comes from increased IT fingerprints, monitoring, etc.

In other words, has the motivation to catch leakers increased, or is it just the capability that has increased?

I think it's probably a mix of the two; I reckon some earlier administrations would have clamped down on leakers as hard, if they could have.

[talmand]

From what I read in the article I believe it's a matter of government overreach. Some of the details leaked were trivial and to reporters. It is not espionage to leak information to the media when the government does, or is about to do, something wrong; it is whistle-blowing. But charging them with espionage means the government gets to avoid those pesky whistle-blowing laws we supposedly have to protect such people.

[bullfroge]

The article seems to be implying that it's more policy change, such as the case of Thomas A. Drake they use as an example. Additionally, they shouldn't need to use the espionage act for basic leaks. I would imagine other laws should suffice (though I don't know the particulars of which)