This is a very complete and compreshensive undertaking – journalism done right. I think it is important to keep current zeitgeist in check and perhaps even challenge it, i.e. the EU/privacy. I've witnessed a fair bit of EU exceptionalism in 2021 here on HN as well as elsewhere in the media sphere. While, we could all benefit from pre-tested policies that work, being blind to it just gives an enormous leverage to those in power to expand surveillance. In the US, we allowed it willingly or unwillingly post-9/11; the governments of the world couldn't have imagined a better excuse to violate privacy and personal freedom with COVID-19. Keep your eyes open, Australia is a warning flare.
Edit: Smarter Everyday did a great job examining the history of privacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMtrY6lbjcY