As you said, regulations and laws are tools. What you criticise about regulations can be said about laws. A law can protect a vile dictator as easily as protect

As you said, regulations and laws are tools. What you criticise about regulations can be said about laws. A law can protect a vile dictator as easily as protect a helpless citizen. The problem isn't the laws or regulations, but the fact that we leave corrupt politicians to write them. Of course, fixing that is much easier than done, because even if you have a functioning democracy, corrupt politicians are still propped up by propaganda. Corporate's wishing to write the laws contribute much to support those politicians with lobbying and propaganda (Murdoch news empire) To solve this you need a well-educated, politically conscious population, which is easier said than done.