Your right it does have the potential for abuse, and I am sure as long as its been around...I think sometime in the mid 80's? I am sure it has been abused. When used correctly it is an excellent tool.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Herein lies the rub. Find me a way to absolutely guarantee that this and other tools for the good of the people will be used only for the good of the people with absolute respect for their individual rights and I will support the use of those tools without reservation. Until then, I think there needs to be significant oversight to ensure that when those tools are abused and misused, there is a penalty that will not simply be the proverbial slap on the wrist, presuming any penalty at all is even assigned.
I think that allowing those who trespass upon those rights to be held personally responsible for their actions would be a good start. For lack of a better analogy, if you don't violate peoples' rights, you have nothing to fear from such a policy/law, right?
Blessings,
Bill