Comment by hirako2000

A few factors

- e2e encryption is not ubiquitous yet, but awareness is ascending.

- distrust for government also is on the uptrend.

- more organized dissent to preserve privacy.

No people didn't assume data was encrypted.

Yes E2E has been possible for many decades, but businesses don't have privacy as a priority, sometimes even counter incentives to protect it. Personal data sells well.

Things have changed because more people are getting to understand why it matters, forcing the hand of companies having to choice but at least feign to secure privacy.