Telecoms are heavily regulated, and your link reinforces that: The FCC is able to directly fine telcos from selling our location data. Tech companies generally

Telecoms are heavily regulated, and your link reinforces that: The FCC is able to directly fine telcos from selling our location data. Tech companies generally aren't subject to the same fines as telecoms are for doing... exactly the same things. And while Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. all have programs that opt-in to data collection and marketing practices, it's often impossible to opt out of tech companies' behaviors. Because telecoms are required to get your opt-in consent to use your data, generally they offer incentives to join rewards programs that have the additional marketing permissions as a requirement. For example, Verizon Up Rewards requires you enable Verizon Selects, where they can collect information about your web browsing activity and such: https://www.androidauthority.com/verizons-new-rewards-program-comes-big-catch-791408/ https://www.androidauthority.com/verizons-new-rewards-progra... Not something I'd want to participate in, but Verizon is paying it's users for that data in effect, something tech companies never do. > Opinions are my own. I find it impressive how well this line still singularly identifies the employer of anyone who uses it. :)