Earlier quoted context omitted.
I disagree what FB would work fine if you gave it no data or fake data! The whole point of FB is for people to exchange data about themselves with their friends and family! If people don’t share any data or just fake data FB doesn’t work. For them to offer their service they also have to make money, so they run ads to do that. And to make the ads useful to people they need data for targeting! And now they allow users…
Facebook would work perfectly fine with fake data and without privacy violations. I can sign up with a fake date of birth and a throwaway email account, under a generic name (remove any identifying unique spelling or middle names, for instance) or a completely fake name. And I could still connect with friends and family, provided I know the names they've chosen to use on FB. According to the GDPR, anything you share…
I also don't find any of the data that FB or Google have of me "disturbingly extensive" or that they have been "breaking laws" to get it.
I give them data so they can provide value to my life...it's as simple as that! If that deal doesn't work for you then you simply shouldn't use their products..nothing wrong with that.
I also personally prefer targeted ads over un-targeted ones btw. And I like using these services without having to pay for it...its a good deal!
I also want to add that, while you repeat popular believes, I have yet to see evidence for many/all of them and I would prefer you would either stay with the known facts or be more explicit about whats a personal opinion/internet myth. thanks