What harm does public data have to you? Couldn’t one just ignore the ads? You can’t see anyone watching you, is public data good for public records? (I’m just curious). I know this sounds weird but is public data good for historical preservation and knowledge increasing the importance of the individual? And does public data lead to better products?
My favorite way of putting it:
If you’re walking into a business or public venue or something, and there was someone at the door who, as the cost of entry, asked you your name, birthday, street address, phone number, likes, dislikes, names of all relatives and friends, and all of the places you’ve recently visited…most people would feel incredibly uncomfortable, turn around, and walk away.
Now imagine it’s not a person or a venue, it’s the Facebook sign up page. Why should you feel any less uncomfortable just because Mark Zuckerberg isn’t standing next to you asking you these things directly?