The point of the trick was that when you use computers, privacy may slip away very quickly and unknowingly. Although some readers were upset, I think they may have missed the point that computers and the Internet can transmit information in two directions and the operator may not be aware of the transmission.
Great satire is grounded in reality.
It has to be believable to carry strong impact. If it uses a little paranoia, so much the better. This one had a message that wasn't far beneath the surface. ZDNet's timing could not have been better. Real news reports that came out in March and April have fueled the paranoia.