I think the root issue goes back to your second sentence: the average user doesn't want to be empowered when it comes to data harvesting. In fact, the average user would probably be firmly set against it. They have nothing to hide, no complaints about the current system, and see no value in having control over their data. Perhaps even negative value in taking time out of their busy schedule to manage it.
The trick to turning the tide in the data privacy battle won't be finding the right argument or implementing the right policy - it'll be finding a way to communicate the magnitude and potential impact of this problem to the masses before it's too late.
The trick to turning the tide in the data privacy battle won't be finding the right argument or implementing the right policy - it'll be finding a way to communicate the magnitude and potential impact of this problem to the masses before it's too late.