When we used to talk about the data-collection for various reasons - but primarily for ad-targetting and later personlization purposes, we always were quite concerned.
The data-collection felt very wrong. But, we kinda collectively sighed and allowed it, thinking ads are a necessary evil.
First of all, as engineers, this is a cop-out.
Even if we grant ads as a necessary evil, this should always have been stop-gap to a better - a less evil - business model.
Again, as engineers, we failed to stand up against this continued use - for decades now.
But,
nobody ever agreed for the data to be made available to the State.
This is a breach of trust!
If anyone says their hands were tied - I say they were tied with money.
ps: I have worked at FreeCharge, Aerospike, OrbitalInsight and Granica and have seen this from various viewpoints.
pps: Credit to Nimesh Patel for the last metaphor.