Re privacy issues and being adverse to letting the gov't have your email address:
When you apply for a pp (or renewal), you are given the option of being notified 6 months before pp expires,
It is not mentioned in the application. The applications only state:
"If you choose to provide your email address in Item #6 on this application, Passport Services may use that information to contact you in the event there is a problem with your application or if you need to provide information to us."
Where do you see that?