I'm confused too. Which of these things (http://www.wnyc.org/story/running-list-what-we-know-nsa-can-...) are exploits and which 'implants'? Why does it matter? What is the NSA doing that is worth all that?

I guess I'm not qualified to speak on this subject, I can't say anything without sounding like a newb. The NSA requires Google, wireless operators, everybody who has or transmits data, to hand it over assembly-line fashion and that's not an 'exploit'. But if I managed to do that, it would be.

So the NSA doesn't get labeled as a rogue hacker or exploit-creator because, well, because of semantics.