[citation][nom]besplatan[/nom]Sure (that's why I put the free in quotes), but I really fail to see the downside. Basically Google is a giant machine that wants to find out what my heart desires, and then give it to me, usually at lower prices than stores I might pass by just walking around or that my friends might recommend. Additionally, Google will let me research products it's offering through ads, so I can find the best deal or an alternative (that doesn't even have to advertise through Google).If I wanted to have a person do what Google is doing, I'd have to give them a lot more than my personal information. Meanwhile, Google is not only doing it for "free", it's also giving me Android, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Docs, and lots of other stuff, just for the opportunity to find out what makes me tick and give their customers/advertisers a chance to make me happy.That's at least how I see it.[/citation]
The downside is this: Google, Facebook, and Twitter's only motivations to not abuse your privacy is the letter of the law in whichever country you live in. They would make significantly more money if they could easily sell that information to the highest bidder. As of right now, most major companies are following that letter relatively well.
So long as these corporations continue to act as benefactors, your scenario is completely valid. However human nature being what it is, it would be naive to believe that that will always be the case.
This privacy bubble will burst when the next Enron or Bernie Madoff shows up. A corporation or individual that maintains a facade of morality while finding loopholes in, or outright breaking, the law to get ahead.
Privacy is a commodity, and it is in many corporations interests to take advantage of it. People don't like the current trend because of this highly likely possibility. That's the problem.