I’m not as sure. It feels that way. But society was also smaller in its footprint.

Keep in mind the US government pre watergate did a lot of spying on political opponents (MLK, Malcolm X, etc). Presidents impounded funds pre Watergate at alarming rates.

We interned US citizens in camps during WW2 for being of Japanese descent. See also native Americans and the Federal govts enforcement of slavery.

You might say the govt has just grown in proportion to the container it’s held in.