I think it's outright dishonest to paint advertising as not a privacy problem. It's a huge portion of why ones every online movement is tracked in the first pla

I think it's outright dishonest to paint advertising as not a privacy problem. It's a huge portion of why ones every online movement is tracked in the first place. Google's entire gimmick is that they're better at stalking people than any other tech company on the planet, without "targeted" advertising they'd have long been irrelevant. Also, claiming you need a credit card to do things online is a great example of "not making sense and muddying the water". If Google/FB charged for their services there's still no reason they would need my address or any other identifying information- it's not like they're sending boxes to my door. On your last point; Tech companies and governments get put in the same boat for good reason- they actively work together on a regular basis. Even if the company is "compelled" to give the info- that's still only an issue because the companies are whoring and storing all the data they can get their hands on (for indefinite amounts of time).