The separation between private and the government is purely theatrics - a mere administrative shell.

I really don't understand why people treat it with such sacrosanct reverence.

It reminds me of a cup and ball street scam. Opportunistic people move things around and there's a choir of true believers who think there's some sacred principles of separation to uphold as they defend the ornamental labels as if they're some divine decree.

I mean come on. Know when you're getting played.

In some cases yes, especially when it comes to surveillance, the distinction doesn't feel like very much. When the government hires a contractor specifically because they break the spirit of the 4th amendment, it's hard to argue that it's not the government breaking the law.