Comment by cadamsdotcom

A lot of value is left on the table because informed people don't give up data.

If simple regulation existed - say, "no one can use data for any purpose the user did not explicitly consent to, including product improvements AND including on-selling", that suddenly turns giving up data into a legally-binding, two-party transaction.

There'd be an explosion of really cool uses of data as a result of the trust that'd engender.

But today's status quo is lucrative - so here we stay.