Let me start by saying the reason most people left or are leaving Facebook for Steemit is because of the ability to gain Steem just for writing posts and doing everything they still do for nothing on Facebook.
With advances in technology allowing for things like machine learning and artificial intelligence to be integrated into websites and basically everything, it would be no surprise that data about the users are being collected for analysis and other purposes. It's sad if you think about it: the fact that we somehow don't have our privacy anymore. Any new platform, any new fad that is actually worth joining will require you to sign up and basically give the company permission to use your info for marketing and all the rest. I mean, even here on Steemit, your account can't be deleted.
I just think it's time we reached some state of acquiescence where we internalize that the world we currently live in requires it and we have to be adaptable (not to mention vigilant)
Information retaining to the content you write and who you follow is one thing, but spying on activity on your computer (like facebook is doing via cookies. That you are denied access if you dont allowe) and looking at who and when you comment on what and at what times you use the site is another thing.
And more functions and ways to show them who you are becomes more ways to controll you. Groups do , yes, add a god way to get personalised content. But that is also done via looking up articles by category and tags that already exist.
But this is my opinion.
I agree but they really don't care to that extent about their users. The power is in the data they have on us. They wouldn't relinquish that just because they want to be 'nice' and 'privacy compliant'. Naah... I don't think so.
The only reason I'm suggesting we acquiesce is because there's really no way to fight them. At least not without relinquishing one's use of social media. Notwithstanding, your opinion is as valid as it gets.