[MattPalmer1086]

But its not just used for ad targeting for things you might actually want to buy.

It's used for political campaigns, and social manipulation. Governments can also compel the private company to reveal information they have about people.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

> Governments can also compel the private company to reveal information they have about people.

This is the big deal.

Private companies collect data at volumes, and at levels of detail, that governments would never be allowed to do.

It's easier and cheaper to let the private folks do it, then buy it from them.

They are already doing this.

[Nextgrid]

If a government wanted to build such a spyware operation, they'd have to fund it themselves and get budgets approved. But here you have a sustainable spyware operation already running they don't need to justify any budget for.

[account-5]

Then regulating against them and taking them to court is surely counterproductive?