Is email really private?

[RawDepth]

I seem to recall many years ago when I signed up for my email account, the TOS saying something about email privacy. It warned that email is not a secure way of transferring information and that it is always at risk of being intercepted by others. Basically they were trying to say that email is practically a "public" method of communication similar to using a CB radio. If you broadcast it, others may receive it.

I also frequently hear people ranting on and on about how loved ones, x-es, bosses, Government officials, colleges, and such should all be condemned or punished for illegally spying.

If this warning is in the TOS of many email accounts then how can people expect such privacy?