"... more in the way of solutions ..."
If users can't meaningfully consent to data collection / re-use then it should be more tightly restricted; e.g no transfer to third parties without separate consent. This will challenge the business models of the "user-as-the-product" advertising companies and bring their true costs and values to light.
People used to pay to communicate via telephony, telegraphs, telegrams, postage. The only reason why we can't put some cost back into the equation is that people haven't woken up to what it's actually costing them and they think it's free.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
