The assumption that most of western society is busy with securing basic survival seems like a constructed knockout argument. The fact that you are here to discu

The assumption that most of western society is busy with securing basic survival seems like a constructed knockout argument. The fact that you are here to discuss the matter indicates that doesn't apply to yourself for instance. As for how society would decide it, I see consumer pressure as decisive, the more ethical handling of data becomes a selling point, the more financial incentives companies have to implement and market it. It's visible right now in how Apple positions itself against Google as the more privacy minded company with enough public appraisal to challenge, if not invalidate, your assumption.