I'm a little confused about this article. From the article

"Ending an agreement made in the pre-internet age gives the Germans a chance to show they're doing something, and at the same time the Americans know it's not going to hurt them."

It's completely a symbolic gesture. It seems to me like the Germans are just playing a political game, hoping that (somehow) the people don't notice. Any German natives able to give insight into the general feeling among the population (preferably the whole population, not just 20 something start-up guys)?