> users DO want you to use their data to improve your service. The tech industry really needs to stop projecting what they want to be true. This is a common de

> users DO want you to use their data to improve your service. The tech industry really needs to stop projecting what they want to be true. This is a common delusion, unfortunately, and it is exactly this attitude that will eventually bring legislation to restrict data collection. > Otherwise [...] would not be as successful as they are. They are successful because they offer a useful way to take advantage of the massive utility available in a General Purpose Computer. Data collection is largely hidden from people, either intentionally or simply because it requires extensive engineering knowledge to understand all of the various tracking techniques and their how they are used. From personal experience, as I've explained what is actually happening to people, a very common response is, "This cannot possibly be legal. Why aren't they in jail?" This addiction to data only makes you a stalker or peeping tom. That "engagement" of people using various services isn't people happily - it's people who do not see any other option. When most people don't know about alternatives (if they even exist), most people end up resigned to using services they know are harmful[1]. If you want to see if people actually want to make this kind of exchange, get proper informed consent first. Put it in a contract, and make sure they understand the data they are giving up and what it will be used for. Anything less than this, and you're taking advantage of ignorance. > Liability only comes into play when OTHER parties access (legally or illegally) your data. Liability isn't in play right now because it has been kept out of legislation partly from successful lobbying by the telco and software industries, but mostly because our political system is currently a dysfunctional mess. Eventually, this kind of irresponsible, antisocial behavior will piss enough people off, and legislation to fix this liability problem will follow. [1] https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/publications/tradeoff-fallacy-how-marketers-are-misrepresenting-american-consumers-and https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/publications/tradeoff-...