I understand that if I was targetted for investigation, nothing within my power can really prevent that. Having worked in an ISP's operations department, I've seen both sides of the coin. I'm under no illusions here :).

Still, I'd rather my money went to local interests, and my data stayed within a sphere I have some control of.

> Still, I'd rather my money went to local interests, and my data stayed within a sphere I have some control of.

Yeah, that has an appeal all its own completely independent of what you feel about spying in general.

The USA certainly does the same in reverse, there's always a big push for buying things "Made in the USA" so it's fair to push for it the other way. :)

Unless they have the NSA's budget, the NSA mathematicians, the NSA's history of accumulating the NSA's capabilities, they can't.

If you want to visualize this, think of the world's navies. Who else but the US navy can even operate globally? Who has naval aviation? You might come to think there is a qualitative difference in the ability to do spying.

Sorry, by "they" I meant the NSA. I really don't think it matters where you are for the NSA to spy on you.

but voting with your money is a powerful tool. If the US companies lose money because of this issue, they will pressure the government to do something about it.

Just think about the use of microsoft os/programs in the government and how much they could lose.