Well, back in the old days if we wanted to complain we'd write it down on a piece of paper, wrap that piece of paper inside another piece of paper, and then put that in an unlocked box out in our yard.
That's similarly how we'd order products, out of magazines. Only in that case on the paper we'd include things like our bank account information that we'd put in the unlocked box in our yard.
I'm not suggesting that things can't or shouldn't be better. I think it's just important to have a realistic perspective on where we are in this continuum of service vs privacy.
I generally agree with you, but I think it should be pointed out that unauthorized access to that unlocked box carries severe punishment. A big part of the problem with things like this is that not only are there no controls preventing access to private info, but there are also few if any consequences.
How much control do you think there was in the businesses that got those wrapped pieces of paper with your banking account information? Sure, there are penalties while it's in the box in your yard, but not really once it was at its destination. I bet it's much more strict today than it was a few decades ago.
That's similarly how we'd order products, out of magazines. Only in that case on the paper we'd include things like our bank account information that we'd put in the unlocked box in our yard.
I'm not suggesting that things can't or shouldn't be better. I think it's just important to have a realistic perspective on where we are in this continuum of service vs privacy.