> Encryption simply can't be stopped by governments.
They can try, and they can make your life hell for using it. It won't work, of course, but that has never stopped frightened people or those with an agenda.
This is why it is incredibly important that we not only use encryption pervasively, but that we also educate[1] the general public about encryption. Unless encryption is normalized into the popular culture, it will always be possible to harass "those troublemakers" that use encryption and the general public won't care. This crap will end only after people understand that "banning encryption" is as stupid as "banning envelopes/locks".
> This kind of thing doesn't matter.
Encryption doesn't protect you from traffic analysis. It is important to remember that so-called metadata is often more revealing[2] than the content, especially when you 0wn3d the backbone and can map[3] who everybody you talk to.
[1] specifically, we need to educate people to a similar level that people understand physical locks: "what is does" and "when/how it should be used" are key; the details can be left to professionals (i.e. like locksmiths).
[2] http://labs.rs/en/metadata/
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/world/how-the-nsa...