It would also be defensible if users had access to the data being collected on them – to be able to turn the tracking on and off, to delete data they don’t want or isn’t theirs. But it’s not being made that way – it’s being constructed to operate secretively, with no regard to our wishes or well being.
It’s basically predatory. If it’s one thing we don’t need, it’s another way for people to prey upon each other.
“Just how do they expect the online world to pay for itself?”
How about using some progressive corporate taxes (Exxon’s consecutive record profits anyone?) to subsidize websites instead of war? Plenty of untapped Billion$ there each quarter.
Another funding source could be similar to how the TV cable companies were required to provide public access channels and fully equipped stations to towns that had no airwave TV access.
If the web site or service can be deemed an asset to the public, it would be a viable choice for funding as a public service.