[sdp]

Encrypting data certainly increases the barrier to entry for spying.

[TranceMan]

No it doesn't, it means if somebody doesn't really want to spy on you they just will not waste their time....

[artichokeheart]

Isn't that the definition of a raised barrier? Even if it isn't very high.

[amckenna]

Yes it does. Adding encryption, even if it can be broken through sheer computational power, still increases the price tag associated with spying, therefore increasing the barrier to spying.