[moonchrome]

>In a more reasonable world users would pay money for the services they want to use.

>Of course it needs to be noted that most users don't even understand that they are selling themselves. And of the few who do most still think it's better than paying money.

This is such pretentious snobbery. In a world where you have to pay for search engine I am still dirt poor working some shit entry-level job/doing manual labor because when I was a kid I couldn't even afford interned and had to hitch off a neighbour, having free access to Google, tons of free learning material, messaging boards, etc. is what got me out of that situation.

I pay to avoid advertisement, but that's a luxury I can afford now days, and I have almost no concerns about privacy - I don't care at all that Google knows my interests, browsing history, purchase history, etc.

The concerns about data collection I see are mostly blown way out of proportion and most people rightfully don't care TBH.

[kraf]

This is an extremely naive view of the situation. I'm really glad that you were able to help yourself but the material likely wasn't by Google.

In the meantime Google is using this information to manipulate your desires and actions and you can be sure as hell that it is using data about your behavior and interests to improve it's position in the market. Google buys companies and stocks and they have an advantage few of us can ever hope to have.

I promise you, Google knows you better than you know yourself and it's using that knowledge to further it's own interests without caring much about the people, countries or economies it's hurting.

[simion314]

>I don't care at all that Google knows my interests, browsing history,

I also don't care that Google,NSA, KGB, CIA, ChIna knows my browsing history or what files I have on my PC but I care if this groups know everyone browsing history because they can affect me indirectly by blackmailing, manipulating key individuals or entire populations with targeted ads or propaganda.

Is the same with fake news like "WiFi is illegal in Japan because causes cancer" , this fake shit won't affect me directly but affects people in my family so it affect me indirectly and I have to reduce the damage done.