We ought to view many things in context. Why is surveillance being stepped up? To stop terrorism or to control the population? Both make compelling narratives. Personally I believe that it is not really in the US Government's interest to control the population because large corporations do it so much better; furthermore any such incursion typically generate a big stink, like this; and also because what would the Government realistically do with all that control?
If you look at free societies, and if you look at societies with extensive state surveillance, and ask yourself where you would rather live, the answer is clear. That is what civil liberties are, and that is their value.