(Guessing that you are not referring to my 'Either their "surprise" was purely theatrical (or journalistic gloss)' phrase.)

Do you view "university researcher" as pretty-prestigious & cool social status tier - which is provided "because they deserve it", for people who spend years grinding their way up an academic XP ladder?

Or do you see "university researcher" as expense which the public pays, because it expects considerable public benefit from the supposedly-highly-skilled work which the researcher does?

Complex dark patterns, default-to-share, users who just keep clinking Yes, and relentless monetization of user information have been routine & well-known things for quite a few years now.

I hope I wouldn't come into this with either of those preconceived notions, as it sounds like a false dichotomy. University researchers are a mixed bag; I was one myself for a brief stint in a former life. Generally speaking the vast majority of them have at least a genuine desire to advance human knowledge.

> Complex dark patterns etc.. have been routine & well-known things for quite a few years now.

That doesn't put some kind of ban on experts being surprised.