But for some businesses (my current employer included) it is a must.
Of course, you Brits have no trouble with being snooped upon incessantly so I'm not surprised you think anyone concerned with privacy is worthy of a tinfoil hat.
Of course we're snooped on. I've read the USA PATRIOT Act.
It's just that *we* don't like it. Most of you Brits think its not a problem. The Queen's entitled and all that. That's among the reasons we broke away from you, remember? ;0)