[kube-system]

That data can be sold to anyone else around the world, or used to remotely mess with your life. You don’t have to physically be in the country where your data is compromised to experience bad effects. Data brokers don’t care where their customers are physically located as long as they have the cash.

[tomComb]

This issue of our data being bought and sold is a big issue, but nation states and some of the big tech companies don't do it. They simply have other objectives.

It's the huge number of smaller companies (and your ISP probably) who we pay little attention to that are buying and selling your data, to the best of my knowledge.

I don't think we should be giving these smaller companies a pass, and I don't think we should accuse those aren't (currently) doing it of doing it - that makes it lose its' meaning.

[kube-system]

Many governments most certainly do buy data and (not many but some) sell it too. Big tech buys a lot of data, but they primarily exploit it for their own profits rather than sell it, unless it's their primary business.

The mention of "China" above was in regards to data collected by a tech company in China anyway: Xiaomi.

[tomComb]

You are right: I should have said sold, not 'bought and sold'. Thanks.