And yet for many years it was the default that the new website behind the hyperlink would build a profile about you and sell this to its hundreds of 'partners'.

And yet for many years it was the default that the new website behind the hyperlink would build a profile about you and sell this to its hundreds of 'partners'. You don't mean to establish a relationship with them, but they sure want one with you, and they want to know all about you. If you were to quickly visit a shop and an employee would follow you around with a camera, make notes, and measure your height and your shoe size while you were waiting in line to pay, would you think that was okay and a normal experience? At least with the GDPR the stalkers have to ask your consent first, although ideally they wouldn't exist at all.