Well, yes. But at the same time what other mechanism would you suggest to educate the large segment of the population that has absolutely no inkling of the mechanics of security? I don't see any and stories like this illustrate in a way that is accessible to all what the consequences of lax security could be. As such I think it serves a valid purpose, even if to those more knowledgeable like you it comes across as FUD.

And even within the security community there is a shift in the last couple of years with sexy names and bespoke websites for specific vulnerabilities. Apparently there is a need to get security out of the technical realm and into the public eye for reasons that transcend FUD.