> much better data collection on how people use video games and internet services [...] people optimize for overall time used instead of the quality of the expe

> much better data collection on how people use video games and internet services [...] people optimize for overall time used instead of the quality of the experience That's it. There is a lot of data about people's habits, and that enables companies to tune digital products right into people's gratification systems. It's a psychological hack. Even when you're aware of it, it's hard to resist video games / facebook / twitter / hackernews cravings. But these addiction issues are being talked about more, and people are becoming more aware and starting to self-control, so I don't think a catastrophic mind-control scenario will happen soon (except in dictatorships like China, but that's another story).