From my reading of the court details (which might differ from yours), lavamail was not trying to make it easy for a particular user's data to be accessed. I have no problem with Lavamail, or Colin, providing access to a single user's data, if they have the ability to do that in a reasonable way.
The problem is that there seem to be two extreme worlds we could end up reaching.
1) The security forces can access all data, anywhere, anytime, freely and without limit.
2) The security forces can access no data at all, and become useless.
Both of these are a bad situation to end up in, but I would consider the second worse. Hopefully we can end up with a more sensible world, where the police can access data with a warrant and the proper authority.
While there are some current big cases, and big problems, it is important to remember there are large numbers of lower level people in the security forces, solving real crimes every day. They must not become over-powerful, or hobbled, by a few high profile cases.
I actually think (1) is the bigger deal and by a significant margin, however...
I do agree with you that there needs to be a reasonable and lawful way to tap very specific and targeted conversations, regardless of the medium. Just like bugging the mafia's phones etc. And by reasonable, I mean a real frikin' judge and with total public transparency, not some secret court and definitely not some blanket surveillance program. Accountability for any abuses is a key requirement that currently seems to be lacking.
I'm practically a conspiracy theorist these days, but I think you're being completely logical while most others aren't.
The problem is that there seem to be two extreme worlds we could end up reaching.
1) The security forces can access all data, anywhere, anytime, freely and without limit.
2) The security forces can access no data at all, and become useless.
Both of these are a bad situation to end up in, but I would consider the second worse. Hopefully we can end up with a more sensible world, where the police can access data with a warrant and the proper authority.
While there are some current big cases, and big problems, it is important to remember there are large numbers of lower level people in the security forces, solving real crimes every day. They must not become over-powerful, or hobbled, by a few high profile cases.