I'm not saying the Govt. is the only one that can do that. Please.
Not all technology is available to you in the first place. The average (above average?) citizen is already behind the curve from the start.
Secondly, most citizens act as individuals (picture a sweaty nerd in his basement), as opposed to the organized and focused use of technology for "listening".
While true that "ordinary" people can achieve taps, there really is no contest.
Much to the same degree that the second amendment gives the "people' the right to bear arms, one should not believe that the reason is so the "people" could protect themselves form a tyrannical Federal Govt. It would be a slaughter.
That's all.
out.