Not too sure about the quote based on it's other implications - and I don't think it's exactly the appropriate analogy here...
As an aside the NSA keeps secrets between tens of thousands of employees (although I hear it's Orwellian and depressing to work there). You can keep secrets between small and even large groups of people. You just have to have the right processes and leverages.
'Punishing' companies that collaborate with the government has a few parallel goals:
1.) Wanting to use something that has not yet been purposefully subverted.
2.) Give the companies a real argument for resisting programs.
3.) Speak out against the practices (since it isn't on a ballot anywhere).
Yes, ultimately it isn't the companies' faults (however the complicit few with blinders on for profit motive should be shunned for not putting up a fight).
As an aside the NSA keeps secrets between tens of thousands of employees (although I hear it's Orwellian and depressing to work there). You can keep secrets between small and even large groups of people. You just have to have the right processes and leverages.
'Punishing' companies that collaborate with the government has a few parallel goals:
1.) Wanting to use something that has not yet been purposefully subverted.
2.) Give the companies a real argument for resisting programs.
3.) Speak out against the practices (since it isn't on a ballot anywhere).
Yes, ultimately it isn't the companies' faults (however the complicit few with blinders on for profit motive should be shunned for not putting up a fight).