I'd agree with the need to address these problems, but aren't they already everywhere right now - not for ebooks but by browsing and interacting with websites o

I'd agree with the need to address these problems, but aren't they already everywhere right now - not for ebooks but by browsing and interacting with websites or when using apps. The (mis)use of user interaction data is everywhere and we just call it "analytics". As an author I would like to know how far readers read in my books, where they have difficulties with the text or would like additional information. That could help enhancing the reading experience as well as my writing. But here comes the problem: Part of this information IS already available for Adobe (through its DRM mechanisms) and Amazon - intermediates! But these companies don't share that information with authors (self-published or not) and will most likely only sell that information to publishers or advertisers for hard cash. The reader is the product and the author is out of the equation, so that the positive effects can't really happen.