[Carpetsmoker]

There have been many free ad-supported services that don't collect your data for many years: newspapers, TV channels, radio, etc.

"Accept data collection or pay for it" is a false dichotomy. Ad-supported websites don't need data collection to be profitable, just as NBC doesn't.

Furthermore, there are many paid services that collect data as well. Last time I flew with KLM the online check-in didn't work because some JS errored out as its data collection script was blocked. Turned out it was sending data to 17 domains on the on-line checkin page:

4232724.fls.doubleclick.net ad.atdmt.com apps.static-afkl.com c.webtrends.com cdn.tagcommander.com connect.facebook.com dynamic.dimml.io googleads.g.doubleclick.net lm.commander1.com platform.twitter.com sjs.bizographics.com statse.webtrendslive.com t.svtrd.com tdn.r42tag.com w.usabilla.com www.google-analytics.com www.googleadservices.com

And KLM isn't even a budget airline like RyanAir. I paid good money for my flight.