[baldfat]

> If you are not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold.

I hear this all the time but it's message is a bit off. I'll quote this page http://powazek.com/posts/3229

1) Assumption: This is new or unique to the internet

2) Assumption: You’re either the product or the customer

3) My Favorite - Assumption: Companies you pay treat you better (Comcast Anyone?)

[toyg]

4) Assumption: companies have one and one only type of customer / product.

[ascagnel_]

You can't even assume that a company competing for your dollars will treat your better (Verizon's tracking header junk on mobile, even with that market being far more competitive than landline).