The PRISM scandal remains a threat to US tech businesses. Long after it fades from HN, it will be a drag on growth. Since government credibility will be hard to repair, a big part of the solution is likely going to be stronger technical measures against any kind of snooping.
I do think it's relevant, and not some completely off-topic political thing. However, it's given way to a bunch more politics - people denied entry to the US, "there are nukes in the netherlands", and so on, and filled the front page, crowding out pretty much everything else.
I just get a feeling that this is a turning point for the site, but only time will tell.
