[dangerlibrary]

Regional monopolies are tolerated and the companies benefit tremendously from legislation and regulations that make it near impossible for meaningful competition to exist. Ideologically, the "harmful regulation" rhetoric is incredibly hypocritical.

Which is to say: most consumers have no choice among providers. That fact is a result of government action. If companies would tolerate legislation that would encourage increased competition in exchange for the right to sell consumer information, then you would be right. Of course, that isn't what happened here.