Keeping data secure isn't the main problem. There are numerous ways to segregate and encrypt data such that even full breach wouldn't reveal it. This can work for all types of clients and still allow for group communications.
The issue, as you say, is the business model built around the selling of that data. There is no technical solution to this business problem. Unless Google/Facebook create a different business model they simply can't solve the problem.
Aggregrating data and limiting details would be one way to limit exposure. This is likely sufficient for advertising (the key market I think), but insufficient for data mining and advanced profiling (something which probably shouldn't be allowed anyways).
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Keeping data secure isn't the main problem. There are numerous ways to segregate and encrypt data such that even full breach wouldn't reveal it. This can work for all types of clients and still allow for group communications.
The issue, as you say, is the business model built around the selling of that data. There is no technical solution to this business problem. Unless Google/Facebook create a different business model they simply can't solve the problem.
Aggregrating data and limiting details would be one way to limit exposure. This is likely sufficient for advertising (the key market I think), but insufficient for data mining and advanced profiling (something which probably shouldn't be allowed anyways).