There is a big difference between stuff happening and having the media spotlight on it, that usually gives an impression of something being suddenly much larger.
Exactly. 7-8 years ago, these same types of stories were going around about France being the evil hacker country, and that in most hotels catering to business travellers, there were pinhole cameras above the desks that would monitor and record businessmen typing passwords, so the evil maid spies could then unlock the laptops when the travellers were away.
Back then our media was also slamming France for being "cheese eating surrender monkeys" and renaming "french fries" into "freedom fries" because they would not support our activities in Iraq. And now we're slamming China because China isn't supporting our activities in Iran.
There is a big difference between stuff happening and having the media spotlight on it, that usually gives an impression of something being suddenly much larger.